Ludwig von Mises Quotes

No human power can force the intrenchments of the human mind: compulsion never persuades; it only makes hypocrites.

Can the mind become completely still without coercion, without compulsion, without discipline?

The mind of the spirit will guide you in perfect ways, even in the minute details of your life, if you will let it do so.

At the level of the mind, you are part of the human mind; at the level of the brain you are part of the global brain. This is a perfect example of becoming the change that you want to see.

The mind's only perfect vassal.

The idea that anybody was forced, or pressured, or encouraged, is not true.

Mighty little force is needed to control a man whose mind has been hoodwinked; contrariwise, no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything - you can't conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him.

The very might of the human intellect reveals its limits.

Government is an apparatus of compulsion and coercion.

Do you think nobody would willingly entrust his children to you or pay you for teaching them? Why do you have to extort your fees and collect your pupils by compulsion?

Your mind is totally controlled, it has been stuffed into my mold. And you will do as you are told, until the rights to you are sold.

Obligation is thraldom, and thraldom is hateful.

It is in your power to withdraw yourself whenever you desire. Perfect tranquility within consists in the good ordering of the mind, the realm of your own.

When the highwayman holds his gun to your head, you turn your valuables over to him. You 'consent' alright, but you do so because you cannot help yourself, because you are compelled by his gun. Are you not compelled to work for an employer? Your need compels you, just as the highwayman's gun.

The worst crime committed by totalitarian mind-sets is that they force their citizens, including their victims, to become complicit in their crimes. Dancing with your jailer, participating in your own execution, that is an act of utmost brutality.

When a man is perfect, he sees perfection in others. When he sees imperfection, it is his own mind projecting itself.

The perfect world is created when the mind is free to see it.

He must needs go that the devil drives.

Have the daring to stop doing the things you really don't want to do. Can you see them? Look closely. Can you observe the many things you do because you reluctantly feel you should or must? Watch closely. Examine every action and reaction. Do you act naturally or do you act because you feel compelled? If you feel compelled, stop. Compulsion is slavery. Example: Refuse to go along with the crowd.

But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff. Union of minds, therefore, requires, together with a perfect accord in the one faith, complete submission and obedience of will to the Church and to the Roman Pontiff, as to God Himself.

Love does not obey the mind, and turns to hate when forced.

To live is often to struggle toward goals one has no desire to reach.

INTENTION, n. The mind's sense of the prevalence of one set of influences over another set; an effect whose cause is the imminence, immediate or remote, of the performance of an involuntary act.

When we stop interfering and are wise enough to let the psychophysiological connection work for us instead of against us, our minds rush as quickly as possible towards perfect health.

If you would perfect your body, guard your mind.