--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think we can all see the force of the…" description: "\"“I think we can all see the force of the idea that there are certain things that cannot be done to human beings – certain basic goods, including life i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/roger-scruton-971_certain-things_i-think-we-can-all-see-the-force-of-the_116490.jpg" --- # I think we can all see the force of the idea that there… ![“I think we can all see the force of the idea that there are certain things that cannot be done to human beings – certain basic goods, including life itself, that cannot be taken away from them unless they in some way forfeit them. Life,” quote by Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/roger-scruton-971_certain-things_i-think-we-can-all-see-the-force-of-the_116490.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/roger-scruton-971_certain-things_i-think-we-can-all-see-the-force-of-the_116490.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/873/roger-scruton-971_certain-things_i-think-we-can-all-see-the-force-of-the_116490.jpg) > ““I think we can all see the force of the idea that there are certain things that cannot be done to human beings – certain basic goods, including life itself, that cannot be taken away from them unless they in some way forfeit them. Life,”” [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It argues that certain fundamental rights—like life—are inalienable unless a person voluntarily relinquishes them. **In simple terms:** Some rights cannot be taken away unless forfeited. Key Takeaway Inalienable rights are core to human dignity. Themes human rights ethical philosophy moral absolutes political theory Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - medical decisions about life support - refugee asylum cases - debates on capital punishment - discussions on bodily autonomy Key Concepts natural law social contract autonomy Practical Applications - policy drafting for human rights protections - ethical guidelines for medical practitioners Questions to Reflect On - When might a society justifiably limit an inalienable right? - How do we determine if someone has truly forfeited a basic good? A Different Perspective The notion of forfeiture can be vague, leading to disputes over what constitutes a legitimate loss of rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) ## Related quotes > [Whatever subjectivity we are going to talk about is going to be in an intersubjectivity of human beings that have a certain nature and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-g-kline/whatever-subjectivity-we-are-going-to-talk-about-is-going-to-be-in-an/) [William G. Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-g-kline/) > [There are certain things you cannot accept. 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Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [“Wild things are made from human histories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-macdonald/wild-things-are-made-from-human-histories/) [Helen Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-macdonald/) > [Ella knows her way around her voice as very few people today. But there are times when she seems to be unaware there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-fitzgerald/ella-knows-her-way-around-her-voice-as-very-few-people-today-but/) [Ella Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-fitzgerald/) > [I play around with human things, human relationships and that, and allow that kind of talk to work in that way, on that level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/i-play-around-with-human-things-human-relationships-and-that-and/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [I like stories about people. I like things that are human and different. 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I consider her a most pernicious influence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/delia-smith-is-actually-my-bete-noire-i-consider-her-a-most/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [Modern art was born from a desire to destroy kitsch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/modern-art-was-born-from-a-desire-to-destroy-kitsch/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [“Jack regarded himself as locked in a lifelong struggle with this establishment, on behalf of the Anglo-Saxon peasantry whose birthright had been stolen a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/jack-regarded-himself-as-locked-in-a-lifelong-struggle-with-this/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) [Explore all 317 Roger Scruton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) ## More Certain things quotes > [There are certain things that make restaurants work and a certain kind of DNA that people who excel in restaurants need. 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