Aggressive Quote by Murray Rothbard
“No one may threaten or commit violence ('aggress') against another man's person or property. Violence may be employed only against the man who commits such violence; that is, only defensively against the aggressive violence of another. In short, no violence may be employed against a non-aggressor. Here is the fundamental rule from which can be deduced the entire corpus of libertarian theory.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Man, Economy, and State, 1962
Violence is justified only in self‑defence against an aggressor; it cannot be used against innocent people or property.
In simple terms: Only defensive force is legitimate.
Key Takeaway
Use force solely to protect against aggression.
Themes
non‑aggression
self‑defence
property rights
libertarianism
Mood
serious
principled
analytical
Type
ethical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal safety
- property disputes
- state authority
- civil unrest
Key Concepts
Anarcho‑capitalism
natural rights
ethical consistency
Questions to Reflect On
- When is defensive force justified?
- How do we identify an aggressor?
A Different Perspective
Violence may be misapplied when definitions of aggression are ambiguous.
