The Desire to Rule over Others

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　This must be said: There are too many "great" men in the world --legislators, organizers, do-gooders, leaders of the people, fathers ofnations, and so on, and so on. Too many persons place themselvesabove mankind; they make a career of organizing it, patronizing it,and ruling it.

　　Now someone will say: "You yourself are doing this very thing."

　　True. But it must be admitted that I act in an entirely differentsense; if I have joined the ranks of the reformers, it is solely forthe purpose of persuading them to leave people alone. I do not lookupon people as Vancauson looked upon his automaton. Rather, just asthe physiologist accepts the human body as it is, so do I acceptpeople as they are. I desire only to study and admire.

　　My attitude toward all other persons is well illustrated by thisstory from a celebrated traveler: He arrived one day in the midst ofa tribe of savages, where a child had just been born. A crowd ofsoothsayers, magicians, and quacks - - armed with rings, hooks, andcords -- surrounded it. One said: "This child will never smell theperfume of a peace- pipe unless I stretch his nostrils." Another said:"He will never be able to hear unless I draw his ear-lobes down tohis shoulders." A third said: "He will never see the sunshine unlessI slant his eyes." Another said: "He will never stand upright unlessI bend his legs." A fifth said: "He will never learn to think unless Iflatten his skull."

　　"Stop," cried the traveler. "What God does is well done. Do notclaim to know more than He. God has given organs to this frailcreature; let them develop and grow strong by exercise, use,experience, and liberty."