The Proper Function of the Law

by Frédéric Bastiat

　　And, in all sincerity, can anything more than the absence ofplunder be required of the law? Can the law -- which necessarilyrequires the use of force -- rationally be used for anything exceptprotecting the rights of everyone? I defy anyone to extend it beyondthis purpose without perverting it and, consequently, turning mightagainst right. This is the most fatal and most illogical socialperversion that can possibly be imagined. It must be admitted thatthe true solution -- so long searched for in the area of socialrelationships -- is contained in these simple words: Law is organizedjustice.

　　Now this must be said: When justice is organized by law -- thatis, by force -- this excludes the idea of using law (force) toorganize any human activity whatever, whether it be labor, charity,agriculture, commerce, industry, education, art, or religion. Theorganizing by law of any one of these would inevitably destroy theessential organization -- justice. For truly, how can we imagineforce being used against the liberty of citizens without it alsobeing used against justice, and thus acting against its properpurpose?