Proof of an Idea

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　And does not experience prove this? Look at the entire world.Which countries contain the most peaceful, the most moral, and thehappiest people? Those people are found in the countries where the lawleast interferes with private affairs; where government is least felt;where the individual has the greatest scope, and free opinion thegreatest influence; where administrative powers are fewest andsimplest; where taxes are lightest and most nearly equal, and populardiscontent the least excited and the least justifiable; whereindividuals and groups most actively assume their responsibilities,and, consequently, where the morals of admittedly imperfect humanbeings are constantly improving; where trade, assemblies, andassociations are the least restricted; where labor, capital, andpopulations suffer the fewest forced displacements; where mankind mostnearly follows its own natural inclinations; where the inventions ofmen are most nearly in harmony with the laws of God; in short, thehappiest, most moral, and most peaceful people are those who mostnearly follow this principle: Although mankind is not perfect, still,all hope rests upon the free and voluntary actions of persons withinthe limits of right; law or force is to be used for nothing except theadministration of universal justice.