“The man is free who is protected from injury.”

I'm not sure how to rate this, it doesn't sound like Webster. Maybe in context it would make more sense. On its face it gets a thumbs down. Liberty exists where a man is free to succeed and / or fail all on his own merits. If the quote was equating injury to despotism, tyranny, or some form of governmental act the infringes on the individual sovereign, I would probably give it 3 or 4 stars, maybe? The quote does not state who is the protector.

The proper function of the judiciary is not to let justice reign, but to prevent injustice from reigning...to protect us from injury. Meaning damage to self or property. This is the proper function of the justice system and the only way we can be free to pursue our interests. As opposed to the system of legalized plunder under which we now exist.

J Carlton has said it; it needn't be said again.

5 stars for J Carlton.

Thanks for the encouragement :) Anyone who is interested can get on to this line of thinking by reading "The Law" by Frederic Bastiat. It will definitely help you define a lot of the thinking you already have on the go. Best, JC

I looked up this quote, Mike. Webster was talking about Law and the checks and balances of the American system of jurisprudence. Yes, Carlton, 'The Law' is an awesome book.

I understand Mike's conundrum with this quote. There is a freedom in which you are totally on your own for better or worse and there is also the freedom from worry about the worse part. That freedom or peace of mind is called insurance. Now with persons being required to provide that insurance for themselves view the new health care law the rest of us can have some peace of mind that some if not all of the freeloaders will get off the public health dole.

The word "view" above should read "via".

Legally speaking - injury also includes insult .. and a real 'free' person is one who can freely take recourse to force in defence of injury or insult towards him.

Mr Webster was pro big government. Federalist. An elitest. The current administration would like him. I on the other hand think more of who he lost to in the presidencial race. Andrew Jackson. A man for the people and against the central bank.