Every man Quote by Thomas Paine
““The natural rights which he retains are all those in which the Power to execute is as perfect in the individual as the right itself. Among this class, as is before mentioned, are all the intellectual rights, or rights of the mind; consequently, religion is one of those rights. The natural rights which are not retained, are all those in which, though the right is perfect in the individual, the power to execute them is defective. They answer not his purpose. A man, by natural right, has a right to judge in his own cause; and so far as the right of the mind is concerned, he never surrenders it. But what availeth it him to judge, if he has not power to redress? He therefore deposits this right in the common stock of society, and takes the arm of society, of which he is a part, in preference and in addition to his own. Society grants him nothing. Every man is a proprietor in society, and draws on the capital as a matter of right.””
About This Quote
Individuals possess inherent rights that are fully effective only when they have the means to enforce them; otherwise, they must rely on collective societal structures.
In simple terms: Rights need power to be meaningful.
Key Takeaway
Rights without enforcement are ineffective.
Themes
natural rights
individual autonomy
social contract
intellectual freedom
religious liberty
Mood
reflective
assertive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal disputes
- academic freedom
- religious practice
Key Concepts
right of judgment
collective enforcement
Practical Applications
- designing constitutional safeguards
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society balance individual rights with collective enforcement?
- When should personal judgment be overridden by communal authority?
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