If he who employs coercion against me could mould me to his purposes by argument, no doubt he would. He pretends to punish me because his argument is strong; but he really punishes me because his argument is weak.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
It is not according to my mode of doing things, to bring a suit against a man that I have the power in my own hands to punish.
If we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion.
Woe to him that claims obedience when it is not due; woe to him that refuses it when it is.
To say that we mutually agree to coercion is not to say that we are required to enjoy it, or even to pretend we enjoy it.
The only kind of coercion I recommend is mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the majority of the people affected.
Consider, when you are enraged at any one, what you would probably think if he should die during the dispute.
He who angers you conquers you.
Coercion may prevent many transgressions; but it robs even actions which are legal of a part of their beauty. Freedom may lead to many transgressions, but it lends even to vices a less ignoble form.
Coercion, after all, merely captures man. Freedom captivates him.
Law is any application for the official use of coercion that succeeds.