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What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the…

“What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the collective organization of the individual right to lawful defence.” quote by Frédéric Bastiat
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““What, then, is law? As I have said elsewhere, it is the collective organization of the individual right to lawful defence.””

Frédéric Bastiat

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Law is the collective protection of each individual's right to defend themselves against aggression.

In simple terms: Law protects individual self‑defence.

Key Takeaway

Uphold personal rights through just law.

Themes

law individual rights defence

Mood

analytical serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • public policy
  • civil liberties
  • community safety

Key Concepts

social contract legal philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How should law limit its own power?
  • What mechanisms ensure law protects rather than oppresses?
A Different Perspective

Balancing collective security with individual freedoms can be complex.

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