Leo XIII Quotes

Every man has a right by nature to possess property as his own.

Every man has by nature the right to possess property as his own. This is one of the chief points of distinction between man and the animal creation.

Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.

Moral principles of liberty that endow a person with the right to claim and acquire property at the same time oblige that person to respect every other person’s equal right to do the same.

Every man is born with a double right. First, a right of freedom to his person, …. Secondly, a right before any other man, to inherit, with his brethren, his father's goods.

Property is proper to man.

Without property rights, no other rights are possible.

Children learn many principles of natural law at a very early age. For example: they learn that when one child has picked up an apple or a flower, it is his, and that his associates must not take it from him against his will.

The dichotomy between personal liberties and property rights is a false one. Property does not have rights. People have rights.

Each of us has a natural right, from God, to defend his person, his liberty, and his property.

Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has any right to but himself. The labor of his body and the work of his hands are properly his.

Make no mistake. Without individual property, none are free.

The third absolute right, inherent in every Englishman, is that of property, which consists in the free use, enjoyment, and disposal of all his acquisitions, without any control or diminution save only by the laws of the land.

…it is the peculiar function of the state and the city to guarantee every man the free and undisturbed control of his own particular property.

… since the right of possessing goods privately has been conferred not by man's law, but by nature, public authority cannot abolish it, but can only control its exercise and bring it into conformity with the common weal

There can be to the ownership of anything no rightful title which is not derived from the title of the producer and does not rest upon the natural right of the man to himself.

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, and thirdly to property; together with the right to defend them in the best manner they can.

But assuming the same premises, to wit, that all men are equal by the law of nature and of nations, the right of property in slaves falls to the ground; for one who is equal to another cannot be the owner or property of that other.

The most general rights, which belong to all mankind, may be said to be the right to life, to liberty and to property.

The absolute rights of individuals may be resolved into the right of personal security, the right of personal liberty, and the right to enjoy and acquire property

Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: First a right to life, secondly to liberty, thirdly to property.

No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another.

The right of private ownership of goods, including productive goods, has permanent validity. It is part of the natural order.

All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety

I have a right to nothing which another has a right to take away