Aggression Quote by Stephan Kinsella
“The libertarian approach is a very symmetrical one: the non-aggression principle does not rule out force, but only the initiation of force. In other words, you are permitted to use force only in response to some else's use of force. If they do not use force you may not use force yourself. There is a symmetry here: force for force, but no force if no force was used.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Ethics of Liberty by Stephan Kinsella, 2005
The principle allows defensive force but prohibits initiating aggression, creating a mirror‑like balance of power.
In simple terms: Only defend, never start violence.
Key Takeaway
Use force only defensively.
Themes
non‑aggression
defense
symmetry
Mood
serious
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- self‑defense
- law enforcement
- civil rights activism
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
political philosophy
ethical consistency
rights
law
Questions to Reflect On
- When is defensive force justified?
- How do you identify the initiator of force?
A Different Perspective
It may be hard to apply when threats are ambiguous.
![“[T]he Swiss people are the best practitioners of the ideals of non-aggression. The Swiss national government posts are parttime positions. Most decisions are made at the canton (state) level. Swiss per capita income is the highest in the world, showing that non-aggression pays. How did the Swiss…” quote by Mary Ruwart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/39a/mary-ruwart-46155_aggression_t-he-swiss-people-are-the-best-practitio_1056652.jpg)
![“Now they [the Powers] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield to them, I would have no face to see our ancestors after death. If we must perish, why not fight to the death?” quote by Empress Dowager Cixi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/947/empress-dowager-cixi-68177_after-death_now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-agg_53275.jpg)
