THE LAW.

The Law perverted! The Law—and in its wake all the collective forces of the nation—the Law, I say, not only turned away from its purpose, but applied to pursue a purpose directly contrary to it! The Law becoming the instrument of every form of greed instead of being its restraint! The Law itself accomplishing the very injustice original: "iniquité." While it translates to "iniquity," Bastiat uses it here to mean a gross injustice or a violation of natural rights. that it was tasked with punishing! Certainly, this is a serious fact, if it exists, and one to which I must be allowed to draw the attention of my fellow citizens.

We hold from God the gift that, for us, encompasses all others: Life—physical, intellectual, and moral life.

But life does not sustain itself. He who gave it to us has left us the responsibility original: "le soin," meaning the care, duty, or charge. of maintaining, developing, and perfecting it.

Frédéric Bastiat: (1801–1850) A French economist and prominent classical liberal theorist.
Law: In Bastiat’s view, the only legitimate purpose of law is the protection of life, liberty, and property.
Injustice: original: "iniquité" The violation of natural rights, especially when committed by the state.
Fellow citizens: original: "concitoyens" Bastiat addresses the public directly as part of a shared political community.
Physical, Intellectual, and Moral Life: The three dimensions of human existence that Bastiat argues must be protected from state overreach.