Neither "property" nor the value of property is a physical thing. Property is a set of defined options...It is that read more

Neither "property" nor the value of property is a physical thing. Property is a set of defined options...It is that set of options which has economic value...It is the options, and not the physical things, which are the "property" - economically as well as legally...But because the public tends to think of property as tangible, physical things, this opens the way politically for government confiscation of property by forcibly taking away options while leaving the physical objects untouched.

Whenever men take the law into their own hands, the loser is the law. And when the law loses, freedom read more

Whenever men take the law into their own hands, the loser is the law. And when the law loses, freedom languishes.

The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.

The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.

It is precisely those things which belong to "the people" which have historically been despoiled- wild creatures, the air, and read more

It is precisely those things which belong to "the people" which have historically been despoiled- wild creatures, the air, and waterways being notable examples. This goes to the heart of why property rights are socially important in the first place. Property rights mean self-interested monitors. No owned creatures are in danger of extinction. No owned forests are in danger of being leveled. No one kills the goose that lays the golden egg when it is his goose.

All of the troubles that some people have in life is that which they married into.

All of the troubles that some people have in life is that which they married into.

History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold read more

History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.

Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage.

Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage.

Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.

Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts.

The legacy of Democrats and Republicans approaches: Libertarianism by bankruptcy.

The legacy of Democrats and Republicans approaches: Libertarianism by bankruptcy.