Believe Quote by L. Neil Smith
“A libertarian is a person who believes that no one has the right, under any circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, or to advocate or delegate its initiation. Those who act consistently with this principle are libertarians, whether they realize it or not. Those who fail to act consistently with it are not libertarians, regardless of what they may claim.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Probability Broach" (1979) by L. Neil Smith
Libertarians oppose any initiation of force, regardless of intent, and act consistently with that principle.
In simple terms: No force initiation is moral.
Key Takeaway
Adopt non‑aggressive principles.
Themes
freedom
non‑aggression
political philosophy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- legal reforms
- personal conduct
- activism
Key Concepts
libertarianism
ethics
rights
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you apply non‑aggression in daily life?
- What are the limits of non‑aggression?
A Different Perspective
Real‑world politics often involve complex power dynamics that challenge pure non‑aggression.
