Matt Kibbe Quote

“The Rules for Liberty

1) Don’t hurt people: Free people just want to be left alone, not hassled or harmed by someone else with an agenda or designs over their life and property.
2) Don’t take people’s stuff: America’s founders fought to ensure property rights and our individual right to the fruits of our labors.
3) Take responsibility: Liberty takes responsibility. Don’t sit around waiting for someone else to solve your problems.
4) Work for it: For every action there is an equal reaction. Work hard and you’ll be rewarded.
5) Mind your own business: Free people live and let live.
6) Fight the power: Thanks to the Internet and the decentralization of knowledge, there are more opportunities than ever to take a stand against corrupt authority.”

~ Matt Kibbe

excerpted from 'Don’t Hurt People and Don’t Take Their Stuff: A Libertarian Manifesto,' 2014

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

Not shooting the messenger, YES ! I was just reading a scholastic paper on natural law (from a scientist's perspective). Justice was not a concept discussed or alluded to. The above points are in harmony with natural law, having no enabling event to invoke justice.

Mike, Norwalk

Of course there is always # 6. Fighting the power might invoke the wrath of the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land but, that would be tyranny's injustice coming down on you.

John W. Tobin, Newcastle, Wa.

The ruling class does not care who gets hurt.
They believe that your stuff is their stuff.
They believe that the people are not able to take care of themselves.
They believe that we only work for their benefit.
They believe that our business IS their business.
They believe that we should not have the ability or means to fight their power.

bruski, naples FL

Amen!!

J Carlton, Calgary

The noblest of thoughts.

Ron w13, Or

Liberty with a conscience. Do not endanger the health or welfare of another. It is a two way street.

jim k, austin tx

This quote beats The 10 Commandments by a mile. Sorry Moses.

Tom, Omaha

This puts it in words everyone should understand.
Kudos!

Editor, Liberty Quotes

Our apologies, we neglected to add the title 'The Rules for Liberty' to the top of the quote. It has been amended. Thank you!

Mike M, NM

These rules are why am I a recovering former Republican and now a Libertarian. The D's and the R's are the flip sides of the same big government coin.

Bob Leavitt, Charlotte, VT

Maybe I need to put the two on my desk for comparison purposes, but I had thought to conjoin Kibbe with The Ten Commandments, though I see another sees them as competition. But "each to his own taste," the woman said, as she kissed the cow. [ I don't know what that means, but my dad, a wise and religious man, used to say it from time to time. ]

Steve Thompson, Denver, CO

Hummm,
Looks like Mr. Kibbe is a hypocrite regarding TAKING PEOPLES STUFF ... like QUOTES!
I'm not sure why he claims original ownership of this quote that has been used often AND in constitution classes AND in writing, by former 2004 Libertarian Presidential nominee Michael Badarnik? Perhaps Matt just uses people or forgets that maybe in the Libertarian movement he may not have an original thought of his very own. Dude, just sayin, give some cred to mentors before you! Ya got no shame!

Tisha Casida, Aspen, CO

Total rip-off from Michael Badnarik. Disappointing. Badnarik has been using "Don't Hurt Me, Don't Take My Stuff" as the conclusion of his constitution class for YEARS. Kibbe should have at least given some credit where it is due. Hey - don't take people's stuff!!!!!

Carol, Estero, Florida

Does not matter where this concept comes from, who thought it up or how old it is, IT WORKS. If you agree...JOIN US at LP.org

E Archer, NYC

Who has the copyright on the Golden Rule? The first 3 rules are the oldest rules in the book for Liberty -- I don't know how they can be improved upon. Great list -- a good book too!

Steve Thompson, Denver

Nothing wrong with the messages in this book. Most authors are honest and humble enough to give credit to quotes used. This is a quote site and the origin is important. Using people in the name of Liberty is not joining together for Liberty. Just 20 miles from my house is where the Liberation Party was born and knowing some of the original activists who Kibbe uses with little acknowledgment is troubling. Our message, our Liberty is spreading like wildfire, lets make sure we don't keep propping up people who use and deceive us for their own enrichment.

cal, lewisville, tx

Perhaps this came from something Kibbe wrote and surely he footnoted Badarnik for his quote. We may not have the whole story here. Whatever, I sure like this quote.

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.