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It has been the fashion to speak of the conflict between…

“It has been the fashion to speak of the conflict between human rights and property rights, and from this it has come to be widely believed that the use of private property is tainted with evil and should not be espoused by rational and civilized men... the only dependable foundation of personal…” quote by Walter Lippmann
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“It has been the fashion to speak of the conflict between human rights and property rights, and from this it has come to be widely believed that the use of private property is tainted with evil and should not be espoused by rational and civilized men... the only dependable foundation of personal liberty is the personal economic security of private property. The Good Society.”

Walter Lippmann

About This Quote

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

The passage argues that private property is essential for personal liberty, countering the view that it is inherently evil.

In simple terms: Private property underpins personal freedom.

Key Takeaway

Protect property rights to safeguard liberty.

Themes

property rights liberty economics political philosophy

Mood

analytical critical

Type

political economic

When to use this quote

  • policy debates
  • legal reforms
  • economic planning
  • civil education

Key Concepts

classical liberalism rights theory capitalism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we balance property rights with social justice?
  • When should property be limited for the common good?
A Different Perspective

May overlook cases where property rights conflict with human rights.

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