Been Quote by Lysander Spooner
“Slavery is a wrong to each individual enslaved; and not merely to the first of a series. Natural law, therefore, as much forbids the enslaving of the child, as if the wrong of enslaving the parent had never been perpetrated.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: No Treason: The Constitution of No One, 1867
Each person’s freedom is intrinsically valuable; oppression harms every individual, not just the first victim.
In simple terms: Slavery harms everyone, not just the first enslaved.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and protect each individual's rights.
Themes
human rights
justice
individual liberty
ethics
Mood
serious
determined
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- education
- activism
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
natural law
moral philosophy
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing each individual's rights change societal structures?
- What responsibilities arise from this view?
A Different Perspective
Even if one victim is freed, systemic oppression persists.
