If the bureaucracy is not checked, it will tend to build, in the name of peace, a defense against every conceivable contingency - so much 'security' that 'the secured' are without resources - helpless and hopeless. — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
The proper and limited use of government is to invoke a common justice and keep the peace - and that is all. — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
There is no moral distinction between petty thievery and 'from each according to ability, to each according to need.' — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
Whenever government assumed responsibility for the security, welfare, and prosperity of citizens, the costs of government rise beyond the point where it is politically… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
The solution to this problem [welfare-statism] must take a positive form: the restoration of a faith in what free men can accomplish. — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
The libertarian can have no truck with 'left' or 'right' because he regrets any form of authoritarianism - the use of police force to… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
Is it not obvious that the more complex an economy, the more certainly will governmental control of productive effort exert a retarding influence? — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
In market terms, one is entitled to what others will offer in willing exchange. That is all! — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
Socialism takes and redistributes wealth, but it is utterly incapable of creating wealth. — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
What precisely is this disease that causes inflation and all these other troubles? It has many popular names, such as socialism, communism, state interventionism,… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
The right way is the greatest gratifier of human wishes ever come upon - when allowed to operate. It is as morally sound as… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
[S]tatism is but socialized dishonesty; it is feathering the nests of some with feathers coercively plucked from others - on the grand scale. There… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
There is really nothing that can be done except by an individual. Only individuals can learn. Only individuals can think creatively. Only individuals can… — Leonard Read Copy Share Image
![“The solution to this problem [welfare-statism] must take a positive form: the restoration of a faith in what free men can accomplish.” quote by Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/456/leonard-read-14543_accomplish_the-solution-to-this-problem-welfare-sta_46640.jpg)
![“[S]tatism is but socialized dishonesty; it is feathering the nests of some with feathers coercively plucked from others - on the grand scale. There is no moral difference between the act of a pickpocket and the progressive income tax or any other social program.” quote by Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a3e/leonard-read-14543_corruption_s-tatism-is-but-socialized-dishonesty-it_511252.jpg)
