Justice Means Equal Rights

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　Law is justice. And it would indeed be strange if law couldproperly be anything else! Is not justice right? Are not rights equal?By what right does the law force me to conform to the social plans ofMr. Mimerel, Mr. de Melun, Mr. Thiers, or Mr. Louis Blanc? If the lawhas a moral right to do this, why does it not, then, force thesegentlemen to submit to my plans? Is it logical to suppose that naturehas not given me sufficient imagination to dream up a utopia also?Should the law choose one fantasy among many, and put the organizedforce of government at its service only?

　　Law is justice. And let it not be said -- as it continually issaid -- that under this concept, the law would be atheistic,individualistic, and heartless; that it would make mankind in its ownimage. This is an absurd conclusion, worthy only of those worshippersof government who believe that the law is mankind.

　　Nonsense! Do those worshippers of government believe that freepersons will cease to act? Does it follow that if we receive no energyfrom the law, we shall receive no energy at all? Does it follow thatif the law is restricted to the function of protecting the free use ofour faculties, we will be unable to use our faculties? Suppose thatthe law does not force us to follow certain forms of religion, orsystems of association, or methods of education, or regulations oflabor, or regulations of trade, or plans for charity; does it thenfollow that we shall eagerly plunge into atheism, hermitary,ignorance, misery, and greed? If we are free, does it follow that weshall no longer recognize the power and goodness of God? Does itfollow that we shall then cease to associate with each other, to helpeach other, to love and succor our unfortunate brothers, to study thesecrets of nature, and to strive to improve ourselves to the best ofour abilities?