"The use of physical force - even its retaliatory use­ cannot be left at the discretion of individual citizens .... - the use of force against one man can­ not be left to the arbitrary decision of another." #QotD

"The use of physical force - even its retaliatory use­ cannot be left at the discretion of individual citizens. Peaceful coexistence is impossible if a man has to live under the constant threat of force to be unleashed against him by any of his neighbors at any moment. Whether his neighbors' intentions are good or bad, whether their judgment is rational or irrational, whether they are moti­vated by a sense of justice or by ignorance or by preju­dice or by malice - the use of force against one man can­ not be left to the arbitrary decision of another."
          Ayn Rand, from her essay 'The Nature of Government'
.