Accord Quote by Lysander Spooner
“The right of revolution, which tyrants, in mockery, accord to mankind, is no legal right under a government; it is only a natural right to overturn a government.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: No Treason: The Constitution of No Treason, 1867
A government that pretends to grant a right to revolt actually only acknowledges a natural, not legal, authority to replace it.
In simple terms: Revolution is a natural right, not a legal one.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the moral basis of resistance.
Themes
politics
rights
revolution
Mood
defiant
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- civil disobedience
- political reform
- grassroots organizing
Key Concepts
natural law
legitimacy
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- What constitutes a legitimate government?
- When is violent overthrow justified?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems may suppress natural rights, limiting practical action.
