In the quote provided, Lysander Spooner emphasizes that an individual's inherent rights are sacrosanct and belong exclusively to them. These rights cannot be infringed upon by anyone or any group without it being considered a wrongdoing. Whether this violation comes from one person acting alone or millions operating under the guise of a government entity, the act remains fundamentally unjust.
Spooner’s quote delves into the idea that fundamental human rights are absolute and cannot be compromised by collective power structures or individuals in positions of authority. It challenges the notion that a group of people, such as those who form a government, can legitimize acts of oppression or injustice simply because they represent a majority. The underlying message underscores the principle that no person or entity holds the right to diminish another's freedoms, regardless of the scale or justification provided.
Lysander Spooner was an American political philosopher and legal theorist active in the 19th century. He is well-known for his advocacy of natural rights theory and his critiques of government authority. His work often focused on individual liberties and how these should be protected against encroachments by governmental institutions, reflecting a strong belief in the sovereignty of personal freedoms over collective governance.
