--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Libertarianism is the simple morality we…" description: "\"Libertarianism is the simple morality we learned as children: Don’t strike first, don’t steal or cheat, keep your promises. If you inadvertently fail t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/mary-ruwart-46155_aggressors_libertarianism-is-the-simple-morality-we_2181505.png" --- # Libertarianism is the simple morality we learned as… ![“Libertarianism is the simple morality we learned as children: Don’t strike first, don’t steal or cheat, keep your promises. If you inadvertently fail to live up to these standards, make it up to the person you’ve harmed. If someone harms you, you may defend yourself as needed to stop the aggressor…” quote by Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/mary-ruwart-46155_aggressors_libertarianism-is-the-simple-morality-we_2181505.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/mary-ruwart-46155_aggressors_libertarianism-is-the-simple-morality-we_2181505.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcd/mary-ruwart-46155_aggressors_libertarianism-is-the-simple-morality-we_2181505.png) > “Libertarianism is the simple morality we learned as children: Don’t strike first, don’t steal or cheat, keep your promises. If you inadvertently fail to live up to these standards, make it up to the person you’ve harmed. If someone harms you, you may defend yourself as needed to stop the aggressor and obtain reparations. This simple morality works group-to-group just as it works one-to-one to bring about a peaceful and prosperous world.” [Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Libertarian morality emphasizes non‑aggression, honesty, and restitution, aiming for peaceful societies. **In simple terms:** Simple ethics of non‑violence and honesty. Key Takeaway Apply these principles in personal and group interactions. Themes ethics peace personal responsibility Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - business - community building - conflict resolution - education Key Concepts non‑aggression restitution social contract libertarianism Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle violations of these principles? - Can restitution always restore trust? A Different Perspective Complex real‑world situations may test these ideals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors/) [Cheat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheat/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Groups](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/groups/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Libertarianism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarianism/) [Libertarianism Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarianism-simple-4336544/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morality Works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-works-4714030/) [Needed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needed/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Prosperous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prosperous/) [Reparations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reparations/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Simple Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-morality-1408257/) [Standards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/standards/) [Stealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stealing/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [No one doubts that pure libertarianism is simple, but that's just why it remains on the ideological fringe - because it boils down the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-douthat/no-one-doubts-that-pure-libertarianism-is-simple-but-that-s-just-why/) [Ross Douthat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-douthat/) > [“Libertarianism. A simple-minded right-wing ideology ideally suited to those unable or unwilling to see past their own sociopathic self-regard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iain-banks/libertarianism-a-simple-minded-right-wing-ideology-ideally-suited-to/) [Iain Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iain-banks/) > [Simple morality dictates that unless and until someone can prove the unborn human is not alive, we must give it the benefit of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-morality-dictates-that-unless-and-until-someone-can-prove-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“I have a very simple morality: not to do good or evil to anyone. 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That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/theoretically-you-can-make-obviously-a-powerful-argument-that/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [In the time just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when Perfidia opens, we were pre-psychologized. There were no concepts of identity, no politics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ellroy/in-the-time-just-before-the-bombing-of-pearl-harbor-when-perfidia/) [James Ellroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ellroy/) > [“Holocaust Theatre (Naskaristana 2799) Most social issues are rooted in religion, most religious issues are rooted in politics, most political issues are vestiges of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/holocaust-theatre-naskaristana-2799-most-social-issues-are-rooted-in/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [You don't make a case for reparations thinking, 'Oh yeah, people are gonna love this.' I didn't see that coming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/you-don-t-make-a-case-for-reparations-thinking-oh-yeah-people-are/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [What I’m talking about is more than recompense for past injustices—more than a handout, a payoff, hush money, or a reluctant bribe. What I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/what-i-m-talking-about-is-more-than-recompense-for-past-injustices/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [I do think that some form of reparations for the descendants of American slavery would go a long way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton-williams/i-do-think-that-some-form-of-reparations-for-the-descendants-of/) [Thomas Chatterton Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton-williams/) > [I am optimistic globally. So many scientists are working frantically on the reparation of our planet. Unfortunately there are countries who are still destroying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-irwin/i-am-optimistic-globally-so-many-scientists-are-working-frantically/) [Steve Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-irwin/) > [I starred in a Broadway play that was Sidney Poitier's first directing job and the cast was Lou Gossett, Cicely Tyson, Diana Ladd and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steinberg/i-starred-in-a-broadway-play-that-was-sidney-poitier-s-first/) [David Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steinberg/) ## More by Mary Ruwart > [Children who willingly participate in sexual acts have the right to make that decision as well, even if it's distasteful to us personally. 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The Swiss national government posts are parttime positions. Most decisions are made… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ruwart/t-he-swiss-people-are-the-best-practitioners-of-the-ideals-of-non/) [Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) > [Children who willingly participate in sexual acts have the right to make that decision as well, even if it's distasteful to us personally. Some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ruwart/children-who-willingly-participate-in-sexual-acts-have-the-right-to-2/) [Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) > [In the late 1980s, Soviets were allowed to keep the wealth they created by raising vegetables on their garden plots. Although these plots composed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ruwart/in-the-late-1980s-soviets-were-allowed-to-keep-the-wealth-they/) [Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) > [Americans have the mistaken viewpoint that Lady Liberty is only a peacetime luxury who is ill-equipped to fight the nasties. Therefore, they reason, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ruwart/americans-have-the-mistaken-viewpoint-that-lady-liberty-is-only-a/) [Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) [Explore all 8 Mary Ruwart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-ruwart/) ## More Aggressors quotes > [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/) [Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/) > [There is no shame in being a survivor of sexual violence. The shame is on the aggressor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/there-is-no-shame-in-being-a-survivor-of-sexual-violence-the-shame-is/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [A man's excellence is like that of water; It benefits all things without striving; It takes to the low places shunned by men. Water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-s-excellence-is-like-that-of-water-it-benefits-all-things/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-our-own-native-land-in-defense-of-the-freedom-that-is-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In my experience of fights and fighting, it is invariably the aggressor who keeps getting everything wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/in-my-experience-of-fights-and-fighting-it-is-invariably-the/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [Could anyone in his right mind speak seriously of any limited nuclear war? It should be quite clear that the aggressor's actions will instantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dmitriy-ustinov/could-anyone-in-his-right-mind-speak-seriously-of-any-limited-nuclear/) [Dmitriy Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dmitriy-ustinov/) > [I'm sure if you were a Bosnian during the war, you would wish to kill Serbs. Just because it is the opposite of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaspar-noe/i-m-sure-if-you-were-a-bosnian-during-the-war-you-would-wish-to-kill/) [Gaspar Noe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaspar-noe/) > [Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves ... politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves... The country is theirs, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ben-gurion/let-us-not-ignore-the-truth-among-ourselves-politically-we-are-the/) [David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ben-gurion/) > [Being tolerant does not mean acquiescing to the intolerable; it does not mean covering up disrespect; it does not mean coddling the aggressor or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/being-tolerant-does-not-mean-acquiescing-to-the-intolerable-it-does/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [If we as a society want to cure unemployment, raise real wages, and in other ways improve our economy, we will base public policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-block/if-we-as-a-society-want-to-cure-unemployment-raise-real-wages-and-in/) [Walter Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-block/) > [We must prevent a criminal understanding between the Fascist aggressors and the British and French imperialist clique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/we-must-prevent-a-criminal-understanding-between-the-fascist/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [Those who plead their cause in the absence of an opponent can invent to their heart's content, can pontificate without taking into account the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-de-pizan/those-who-plead-their-cause-in-the-absence-of-an-opponent-can-invent/) [Christine de Pizan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-de-pizan/) > [Our arms must be mighty ... ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/our-arms-must-be-mighty-ready-for-instant-action-so-that-no-potential/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [At the U.N., any nation that fights back is censored as an "aggressor."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levenson/at-the-u-n-any-nation-that-fights-back-is-censored-as-an-aggressor/) [Sam Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levenson/) > [In the end, the aggressors always destroy themselves, making way for others who know how to cooperate and get along. Life is much less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fritjof-capra/in-the-end-the-aggressors-always-destroy-themselves-making-way-for/) [Fritjof Capra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fritjof-capra/) [Browse all 89 Aggressors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggressors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Libertarianism is the simple morality we learned as children: Don’t strike first, don’t steal or cheat, keep your promises. 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