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Individual Rights
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*It is vain to talk of the
interest of the community, without understanding what is the interest of the
individual.
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-Jeremy Bentham
An Introduction to the Principles of Morals
and Legislation
Chapter I, "Of the Principle of Utility", 5
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~We hold these truths to be
sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that
from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among
which are the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.
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-Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence of the United
States of America, July 4, 1776
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Of liberty I would say that, in the whole
plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will.
But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within the
limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within
the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always
so when it violates the right of an individual.
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-Thomas Jefferson
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~Under a proper social
system, a private individual is legally free to take any action he pleases
(so long as he does not violate the rights of others), while a government
official is bound by law in his every official act. A private individual may
do anything except that which is legally forbidden; a government official may
do nothing except that which is legally permitted.
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-Ayn Rand
The Objectivist Newsletter, December
1963
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The smallest minority on earth is the
individual. Those who deny individual rights, cannot claim to be defenders
of minorities.
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-Ayn Rand
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