Lawrence Lessig Quotes

My political philosophy as a libertarian says that government has no business intervening in any consensual private behavior. My professional ethic as a thinker and writer, however, says that self-knowledge is our ultimate responsibility

It is for men to choose whether they will govern themselves or be governed.

In a free society, government has the responsibility of protecting us from others, but not from ourselves.

I believe in the America people's ability to govern themselves. If government would just get out of the way and allow them to lead their lives as they choose, they will succeed.

Since no one but you can know what's best for you, government control can't make your life better.

The free way of life proposes ends, but it does not prescribe means.

Freedom is our most precious commodity and if we are not eternally vigilant, government will take it all away. Individual freedom demands individual responsibility.

We live in America. We live in a free society where we are able to make choices. It's about giving individuals freedoms and holding them accountable.

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.

The people of America need personal responsibility and freedom, not dependency on the government.

What makes America unique in the world is the idea of the self-directed life.

Freedom Party International believes that the purpose of government is to protect every individual's fundamental freedoms, not to restrict them.

our society -- unlike most in the world -- presupposes that freedom and liberty are in a frame of reference that makes the individual, not government, the keeper of his tastes, beliefs, and ideas.

The demand for individual freedom leads us to different realms, and it enables us to participate in social events.

Good government is no substitute for self-government.

We must introduce a new balance in the relationship between the individual and the government--a balance that favors greater individual freedom and self-reliance.

Individual liberty depends upon keeping government under control.

The problem with this world is that there isn't enough liberty and freedom.

Government must not supersede the will of the people or the responsibilities of the people. The function of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.

I do not want to live under a philanthropy. I do not want to be taken care of by the government.... We do not want a benevolent government. We want a free and a just government.

The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom...

I would like to be interpreted as a liberal libertarian, like leave everybody alone and let them do their own thing.

From a political point of view, there is but one principle, the sovereignty of man over himself. This sovereignty of myself over myself is called Liberty

Liberty is liberty, not equality or fairness or justice or human happiness or a quiet conscience.

It is far better to be free to govern or misgovern yourself than to be governed by anybody else