Lysander SpoonerLysander Spooner, (1808-1887) Political theorist, activist, abolitionist

Lysander Spooner Quote

“If those persons, who fancy themselves gifted with both the power and the right to define and punish other men’s vices, would but turn their thoughts inwardly, they would probably find that they have a great work to do at home; and that, when that shall have been completed, they will be little disposed to do more towards correcting the vices of others, than simply to give to others the results of their experience and observation.”

Lysander SpoonerLysander Spooner
~ Lysander Spooner

Vices Are Not Crimes, A Vindication Of Moral Liberty, 1875

Ratings and Comments


Mary - Michigan

Excellent quote. Social Engineers need to stay out of everyone's private business and choices and mind their own house.

J Carlton, Calgary

Mind your own damned business! Used to be part of the American psyche...but the socialists are getting louder all the time and they need to be put back under their slimy little rocks like the lizards they are. :)

jim k, Austin, Tx

J Carlton, you got it right. Reminds me of a true story about a lady who was always chiding her preacher about his smoking. He finally got fed up and told her to mind her own damn business. Now if we could only figure out how to git rid of those control freak nannies in Washington.

Mike, Norwalk

Good comments all !

E Archer, NYC

Yes, unfortunately, those who fancy themselves with the power and right to dictate and punish others do so with a clean conscience as they destroy the lives of others "for their own good." Before 'In God We Trust' was embossed on US coinage, the previous motto was 'Mind Your Business'. Why was it changed? And why must we 'trust' in 'God' rather than take care of our business -- is God the best business manager? Doesn't God help those that help themselves? Or is it just fatalism -- forget about minding your own business, just let God sort it out... sounds like a tactic of those with power to keep the conditioning of sheep going along. And believe me, the God you may believe in and the God that they refer to are very likely NOT the same thing... In a 'secular' statist government, the government is the church and its banker god.

Mike, Norwalk

Archer, I agree fully. I have a strong belief in God, the Father and King of the Universe. I also trust in that God. On the coinage, where is the Constitutional gold (and silver) ? The tokens (penny, nickle, dime, etc.) and notes taking the place of Constitutional coinage derives from a god antithetical to the Father I worship or that the founders based the given representative republic on and, "they" (those occupying statist theocracy patrons now infesting this land) lawfully need to 'Mind Their Own Business' !

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