The Law

We hold from God the gift which includes all others. This gift is life--physical, intellectual, and moral life.
But life cannot maintain itself alone. The Creator of life has entrusted us with the responsibility of preserving, developing, and perfecting it. In order that we may accomplish this, He has provided us with a collection of marvelous faculties. And He has put us in the midst of a variety of natural resources. By the application of our faculities to these natural resources we convert them into products, and use them. This process is neccessary in order that life may run its appointed course.
Life, faculities, production---in other words, individuality, liberty, prosperity---this is man. And in spite of the cunning of artful political leaders, these gifts from God precede all human legislation, and are superior to it.

Frederic Bastiat