When successful, we would not have to thank the state for our success. And, conversely, when unsuccessful, we would no more think of blaming the stat… - Frédéric Bastiat

When two workmen run after one master, wages fall; they rise when two masters run after one workman.

Law is common force organized to prevent injustice — in short, Law is Justice. It is not true that the legislator has absolute power over our persons and property, since they pre-exist, and his work is only to secure them from injury. It is not true that the mission of the law is to regulate our consciences, our ideas, our will, our education, our sentiments, our works, our exchanges, our gifts, our enjoyments. Its mission is to prevent the rights of one from interfering with those of another, in any one of these things.

The existence of persons and property preceded the existence of the legislator, and his function is only to guarantee their safety.