--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man is no less a slave because he is…" description: "\"A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.\" — Lysander Spooner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png" --- # A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a… ![“A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.” quote by Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png) > “A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.” [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing a new master does not erase the inherent oppression of slavery, exposing its structural nature. **In simple terms:** Slavery persists despite choice. Key Takeaway Recognize systemic oppression. Themes freedom slavery choice political theory ethics Mood critical inquisitive Type philosophical political When to use this quote - human rights education - political activism - philosophical debate Key Concepts Systemic oppression choice illusion human rights Questions to Reflect On - What defines true freedom? - How can systems be reformed? A Different Perspective May overlook agency nuances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) ## Related quotes > [A man is none the less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years. Neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/a-man-is-none-the-less-a-slave-because-he-is-allowed-to-choose-a-new/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [Conversion is a change of masters. Will we not do as much for our new master, the Lord Jesus, as we did once for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/conversion-is-a-change-of-masters-will-we-not-do-as-much-for-our-new/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“I had about as much choice in leaving as you did.Someone must have told the new master what I was to you three,so after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-sinclair/i-had-about-as-much-choice-in-leaving-as-you-did-someone-must-have/) [Michele Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-sinclair/) > [“The lazy man is the slave of his own feelings. His body is his master; not his servant. He is the slave of circumstances.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-dewitt-hyde/the-lazy-man-is-the-slave-of-his-own-feelings-his-body-is-his-master/) [William Dewitt Hyde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-dewitt-hyde/) > [The weak-minded man is the slave of his vices and the dupe of his virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-antoine-petit-senn/the-weak-minded-man-is-the-slave-of-his-vices-and-the-dupe-of-his/) [Jean Antoine Petit-Senn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-antoine-petit-senn/) > [“Woman is to man as the slave to the master, the manual to the mental worker, the barbarian to the Greek. Woman is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/woman-is-to-man-as-the-slave-to-the-master-the-manual-to-the-mental/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [“To have done great things together, to want to do more, such are the essential conditions to form a people. . . . Man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-renan/to-have-done-great-things-together-to-want-to-do-more-such-are-the/) [Ernest Renan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-renan/) > [“Man is slave of emotions when they arise, and master of them when they don't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/man-is-slave-of-emotions-when-they-arise-and-master-of-them-when-they/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [I am a free man, the slave of Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-a-free-man-the-slave-of-christ/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Tremble not before the free man, but before the slave who has chains to break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/tremble-not-before-the-free-man-but-before-the-slave-who-has-chains/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [The only freedom that man ever has is when he becomes a slave to Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/the-only-freedom-that-man-ever-has-is-when-he-becomes-a-slave-to/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [A slave is a free man if he is content with his lot; a free man is a slave if he seeks more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-slave-is-a-free-man-if-he-is-content-with-his-lot-a-free-man-is-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Some would know Why I so Long still doe tarry, And ask why Here that I Live, and not marry? Thus I those Doe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/some-would-know-why-i-so-long-still-doe-tarry-and-ask-why-here-that-i/) [Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/) > [In the end what separates a man from a slave? Money? Power? No, a man chooses, and a slave obeys!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-end-what-separates-a-man-from-a-slave-money-power-no-a-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man becomes a slave to his constantly repeated acts. What he at first chooses, at last compels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/man-becomes-a-slave-to-his-constantly-repeated-acts-what-he-at-first/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) ## More by Lysander Spooner > [Slavery, if it can be legalized at all, can be legalized only by positive legislation. Natural law gives it no aid. Custom imparts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/slavery-if-it-can-be-legalized-at-all-can-be-legalized-only-by/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [The greatest of all crimes are the wars that are carried on by governments, to plunder, enslave, and destroy mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-greatest-of-all-crimes-are-the-wars-that-are-carried-on-by/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [Those who deny the right of a jury to protect an individual in resisting an unjust law of the government, deny him all defence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/those-who-deny-the-right-of-a-jury-to-protect-an-individual-in/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [I was put into jail as I was going to the shoemaker's to get a shoe which was mended. When I was let out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/i-was-put-into-jail-as-i-was-going-to-the-shoemaker-s-to-get-a-shoe/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [The single despot stands out in the face of all men, and says: I am the State: My will is law: I am your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-single-despot-stands-out-in-the-face-of-all-men-and-says-i-am-the/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [The Rothschilds, and that class of money-lenders of whom they are the representatives and agents - men who never think of lending a shilling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-rothschilds-and-that-class-of-money-lenders-of-whom-they-are-the/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [Who are ever taxed? Individuals only. Who have property that can be taxed? Individuals only. Who can give their consent to be taxed? Individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/who-are-ever-taxed-individuals-only-who-have-property-that-can-be/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [There can be no criminal intent in resisting injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/there-can-be-no-criminal-intent-in-resisting-injustice/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [Practically and commercially speaking, a dollar is not necessarily a specific thing, made of silver, or gold, or any other single metal, or substance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/practically-and-commercially-speaking-a-dollar-is-not-necessarily-a/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/if-the-jury-have-no-right-to-judge-of-the-justice-of-a-law-of-the/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [If it be said that the consent of the strongest party in a nation, is all that is necessary to justify the establishment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/if-it-be-said-that-the-consent-of-the-strongest-party-in-a-nation-is/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [In reality there is no such thing as an inflation of prices, relatively to gold. There is such a thing as a depreciated paper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/in-reality-there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-inflation-of-prices/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [And there is no difference, in principle - but only in degree - between political and chattel slavery. The former, no less than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/and-there-is-no-difference-in-principle-but-only-in-degree-between/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [The Constitution has no inherent authority or obligation. It has no authority or obligation at all, unless as a contract between man and man.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/the-constitution-has-no-inherent-authority-or-obligation-it-has-no/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [These so-called governments are in reality only great bands of robbers and murderers, organized, disciplined, and constantly on the alert.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/these-so-called-governments-are-in-reality-only-great-bands-of/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) [Explore all 135 Lysander Spooner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) ## More Master quotes > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There is no one who can change My course or affect My conduct to the slightest extent. I am the Master over all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sathya-sai-baba/there-is-no-one-who-can-change-my-course-or-affect-my-conduct-to-the/) [Sathya Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sathya-sai-baba/) > [“Merkin had used only one drop of the “just soap.” Two drops would have made her Master walk slightly awkwardly. Three drops would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorin-suciu/merkin-had-used-only-one-drop-of-the-just-soap-two-drops-would-have/) [Sorin Suciu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorin-suciu/) > [Who among you today is doing the most for your Master's kingdom? I will tell you. Lend me a spiritual thermometer by which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/who-among-you-today-is-doing-the-most-for-your-master-s-kingdom-i/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [When I read 'The Master', I felt that I had read a true classic. It's so rare nowadays that you have that feeling: it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-foreman/when-i-read-the-master-i-felt-that-i-had-read-a-true-classic-it-s-so/) [Amanda Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-foreman/) > [Any man who does not think that what he has is more than ample, is an unhappy man, even if he is the master…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/any-man-who-does-not-think-that-what-he-has-is-more-than-ample-is-an/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [“50 Zen, read shit… BECOME MASTER!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/50-zen-read-shit-become-master/) Deyth Banger > [“Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-transmitted-by-means-of-the-human-exemplar-the-teacher/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [I'm as much my own master as anyone can be, without being the master of others. I can write anywhere - all I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-woods/i-m-as-much-my-own-master-as-anyone-can-be-without-being-the-master/) [Stuart Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-woods/) > [We must not judge God from this world. It's just a study that didn't come off. It's only a master who could make such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/we-must-not-judge-god-from-this-world-it-s-just-a-study-that-didn-t/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [What I like to do with every film is to bring a form, like a cinematographic proposal. If you watch 'S21,' it's a form;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rithy-panh/what-i-like-to-do-with-every-film-is-to-bring-a-form-like-a/) [Rithy Panh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rithy-panh/) > [Kohli scores so freely. He's like Joe Root in that before you know it, he's on 30 off 20 balls. He is also the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-guha/kohli-scores-so-freely-he-s-like-joe-root-in-that-before-you-know-it/) [Isa Guha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-guha/) > [“Having no applicable skills, in any possible area whatsoever, effectively makes me the master of redundancy. But that info is obsolete, like my insults…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-advise/having-no-applicable-skills-in-any-possible-area-whatsoever/) Will Advise > [I've been working on this feature script for Master Class, a play by Terrence McNally that won a lot of Tonys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faye-dunaway/i-ve-been-working-on-this-feature-script-for-master-class-a-play-by/) [Faye Dunaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faye-dunaway/) > [I was one of the innovators of the TLC Match; some would arguably say that I am the master of the Ladder Match.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edge/i-was-one-of-the-innovators-of-the-tlc-match-some-would-arguably-say/) [Edge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edge/) Browse all 1,293 Master quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lysander Spooner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-allowed-to-choose-a-new-master/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Master" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-allowed-to-choose-a-new-master/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/302/lysander-spooner-3260_master_a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-a_3043652.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.” — Lysander Spooner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lysander Spooner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A man is no less a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-allowed-to-choose-a-new-master/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/a-man-is-no-less-a-slave-because-he-is-allowed-to-choose-a-new-master/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```