A Fatal Tendency of Mankind

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　Self-preservation and self-development are common aspirationsamong all people. And if everyone enjoyed the unrestricted use of hisfaculties and the free disposition of the fruits of his labor, socialprogress would be ceaseless, uninterrupted, and unfailing.

　　But there is also another tendency that is common among people.When they can, they wish to live and prosper at the expense ofothers. This is no rash accusation. Nor does it come from a gloomyand uncharitable spirit. The annals of history bear witness to thetruth of it: the incessant wars, mass migrations, religiouspersecutions, universal slavery, dishonesty in commerce, andmonopolies. This fatal desire has its origin in the very nature of man-- in that primitive, universal, and insuppressible instinct thatimpels him to satisfy his desires with the least possible pain.