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That the harmless, although they could have some connection or dependency upon the responsible (which, maybe, they themselves can’t assist), mustn’t upon that account endure or be punished for the responsible, is without doubt one of the plainest and most blatant guidelines of justice. In probably the most unjust conflict, nevertheless, it’s generally the sovereign or the rulers solely who’re responsible. The topics are virtually all the time completely harmless. At any time when it fits the conveniency of a public enemy, nevertheless, the products of the peaceful residents are seized each at land and at sea; their lands are laid waste, their homes are burnt, they usually themselves, in the event that they presume to make any resistance, are murdered or led into captivity; and all this in probably the most good conformity to what are known as the legal guidelines of countries.
That is from Adam Smith, The Principle of Ethical Sentiments.
Considered one of my objectives, in touring to and from the Mont Pelerin Society conferences in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, was to get by means of a minimum of 200 pages of The Principle of Ethical Sentiments. I’m studying it by means of for the primary time, in preparation for an OLLI discuss I’m giving in Monterey in December. Though I discovered it exhausting slogging at first, after some time, I discovered a rhythm.
That man was sharp.
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