The idea that political freedom can be preserved in the absence of economic freedom, and vice versa, is an illusion. Political freedom is the corollary of economic freedom.
Ludwig Von MisesRead
All rational action is in the first place individual action. Only the individual thinks. Only the individual reasons. Only the individual acts.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of individual thought and action in rational decision-making.
Ludwig Von Mises asserts that rationality originates from the individual, highlighting that thinking, reasoning, and acting are inherently personal processes. This underscores the significance of individualism in understanding human behavior and decision-making, suggesting that collective actions stem from the choices made by individuals rather than groups.
In practice
In a debate about personal freedom, this quote can highlight the importance of individual responsibility.
The idea that political freedom can be preserved in the absence of economic freedom, and vice versa, is an illusion. Political freedom is the corollary of economic freedom.
Wars of aggression are popular nowadays with those nations convinced that only victory and conquest could improve their material well-being.
Only stilted pedants can conceive the idea that there are absolute norms to tell what is beautiful and what is not. They try to derive from the works of the past a code of rules with which, as they fancy, the writers and artists of the future should comply. But the genius does not cooperate with the pundit.
The most serious dangers for American freedom and the American way of life do not come from without.
The public firm can nowhere maintain itself in free competition with the private firm; it is possible today only where it has a monopoly that excludes competition. Even that alone is evidence of its lesser economic productivity.
Each epoch has found in the Gospels what it sought to find there, and has overlooked what it wished to overlook.
Any religion is forever in danger of petrifaction into mere ritual and habit, though ritual and habit be essential to religion.
My own opinion is enough for me. And I claim the right to defend it against any consensus, any majority anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line and kiss my ass.
It is the Germans who are responsible for the fact that I became a fabricator of arms. If not for them, I would have constructed agricultural machines. (...) If someone asks me how I can sleep at night knowing that my arms have killed millions of people, I respond that I have no problem sleeping, my conscience is clean. I constructed arms to defend my country.
Wouldst thou know thyself, observe the actions of others._x000D_ _x000D_ Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.
It is people who are important, not the masses.
If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
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