Armed Quote by L. Neil Smith
“Armed people are free. No state can control those who have the machinery and the will to resist, no mob can take their liberty and property. And no 220 pound thug can threaten the well-being or dignity of a 110 pound woman who has two pounds of iron to even things out. Is that evil? Is that wrong?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Probability Broach, L. Neil Smith, 1979
Freedom stems from personal armament and resolve; power dynamics invert when the oppressed are armed.
In simple terms: Armed people keep freedom.
Key Takeaway
Empower yourself, protect liberty.
Themes
freedom
power
resistance
self‑defense
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal security
- self‑defense training
- political activism
- community safety
Key Concepts
individualism
political philosophy
civil liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- Is armed resistance always justified?
- What non‑violent alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Violence may escalate conflicts; moral implications of armed resistance.
![“Those who have the command of the arms in a country are masters of the state, and have it in their power to make what revolutions they please. [Thus,] there is no end to observations on the difference between the measures likely to be pursued by a minister backed by a standing army, and those of a…” quote by Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29b/aristotle-78_arms_those-who-have-the-command-of-the-arms-i_401262.jpg)
