Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor's Introduction
- ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
- NOTE ON THIS EDITION AND TRANSLATION
- Contents
- CHAPTER I Introduction
- CHAPTER II Of the individual man, and the highest ends of his existence
- CHAPTER III On the solicitude of the State for the positive welfare of the citizen
- CHAPTER IV Of the solicitude of the State for the negative welfare of the citizen—For his security
- CHAPTER V On the solicitude of the State for security against foreign enemies
- CHAPTER VI On the solicitude of the State for the mutual security of the citizens—Means for attaining this end—Institutions for reforming the mind and character of the citizen—National education
- CHAPTER VII Religion
- CHAPTER VIII Amelioration of morals
- CHAPTER IX The solicitude of the State for security more accurately and positively defined—Further development of the idea of security
- CHAPTER X On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to actions which directly relate to the agent only (Police laws)
- CHAPTER XI On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to such of the citizens' actions as relate directly to others (Civil laws)
- CHAPTER XII On the solicitude of the State for security as manifested in the juridical decision of disputes among the citizens
- CHAPTER XIII On the solicitude for security as manifested in the punishment of transgressions of the State's laws (criminal laws)
- CHAPTER XIV On the care of the State for the welfare of minors, lunatics, and idiots
- CHAPTER XV Measures for the maintenance of the State—Completion of the theory
- CHAPTER XVI Practical application of the theory proposed
- Other works by Wilhelm von Humboldt
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF POLITICS
CHAPTER IV - Of the solicitude of the State for the negative welfare of the citizen—For his security
from ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 February 2015
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Editor's Introduction
- ON THE LIMITS OF STATE ACTION
- NOTE ON THIS EDITION AND TRANSLATION
- Contents
- CHAPTER I Introduction
- CHAPTER II Of the individual man, and the highest ends of his existence
- CHAPTER III On the solicitude of the State for the positive welfare of the citizen
- CHAPTER IV Of the solicitude of the State for the negative welfare of the citizen—For his security
- CHAPTER V On the solicitude of the State for security against foreign enemies
- CHAPTER VI On the solicitude of the State for the mutual security of the citizens—Means for attaining this end—Institutions for reforming the mind and character of the citizen—National education
- CHAPTER VII Religion
- CHAPTER VIII Amelioration of morals
- CHAPTER IX The solicitude of the State for security more accurately and positively defined—Further development of the idea of security
- CHAPTER X On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to actions which directly relate to the agent only (Police laws)
- CHAPTER XI On the solicitude of the State for security with respect to such of the citizens' actions as relate directly to others (Civil laws)
- CHAPTER XII On the solicitude of the State for security as manifested in the juridical decision of disputes among the citizens
- CHAPTER XIII On the solicitude for security as manifested in the punishment of transgressions of the State's laws (criminal laws)
- CHAPTER XIV On the care of the State for the welfare of minors, lunatics, and idiots
- CHAPTER XV Measures for the maintenance of the State—Completion of the theory
- CHAPTER XVI Practical application of the theory proposed
- Other works by Wilhelm von Humboldt
- Select Bibliography
- Index
- CAMBRIDGE STUDIES IN THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF POLITICS
Summary
To counteract the evil which arises from the tendency man has to transgress his proper limits, and the discord produced by such unjust encroachment on the rights of others, is the essential object of the creation of the State. If it were the same in these cases, as with the physical ills of nature, or with the working of that moral evil which disturbs the natural order of things through excessive enjoyment or privation, or through other actions inconsistent with that order—then such unions would no longer be necessary. The physical evil would be encountered by the unaided efforts of human courage, skill, and foresight; the moral, by the wisdom which is matured in experience; and with either, in any case, the removal of the evil would end the struggle. Therefore, any ultimate, absolute authority, such as uniquely distinguishes the concept of the State, would be wholly unneeded. But, as it is, human disputes are utterly different, and make absolutely necessary at all times the existence of some such supreme power. For in these dissensions one conflict springs immediately from another. Wrong begets revenge; and revenge is a new wrong. And hence it becomes necessary to look for some species of revenge which does not admit of any further revenge—that is the punishment inflicted by the State—or for a settlement of the controversy which the parties are obliged to accept, namely, a judicial decision.
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- The Limits of State Action , pp. 42 - 44Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1969
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