Mises Search

The master educator of liberty reflects on learning, and other forms of self-improvement. In the title essay, Leonard Read writes, “Everyone who pursues an improved understanding of how freedom works its wonders makes a contribution to a higher-grade civilization. More people than now must make freedom their lifelong study.” If you could use some

In this work dedicated to the memory of Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850), Leonard E. Read explores an array of themes such as the sources of human progress, the political consequences of not thinking for one’s self, and finding what is right and wrong. Bastiat’s first rule, Read states, was obedience to conscience before all else. Bastiat worked to

“Progression or advancement never graces anyone who succumbs to the notion that he has arrived—“has it made,” as we say. This mortal moment, if seen aright, is featured by growth in awareness, perception consciousness, day in and day out. To act otherwise is to write one’s own death sentence-life’s high purpose abandoned. It is well to remember

Leonard Read implores that “Truth is not to be found in coercive arrangements.” This work spans a wide array of topics from Egoism and Altruism to comparisons of macro and micro economics, and demonstrates Leonard Read’s legendary dynamism in his writing of literature. “Good societies grow out of a flourishing spirit of

Written in 1951, this is one of Leonard Read’s earliest pamphlets on what he called “the philosophy of freedom.” As was often the case in Read’s essays on spreading the message of liberty, Read notes that the first step is evaluating one’s own thinking. Communism and socialism, Read contends, are not ideologies that exist somewhere out there among

In this 1967 essay, Leonard Read lays out what might best be termed a sociological study of libertarian activism. Read attempts to identify different types of personalities and individuals who are likely to be amenable or resistant to the message of free markets and liberty. Read then goes on to examine the proper methods of describing liberty and

Written in 1951, this is one of Leonard Read’s earliest pamphlets on what he called “the philosophy of freedom.” As was often the case in Read’s essays on spreading the message of liberty, he notes that the first step is evaluating one’s own thinking. Communism and socialism, Read contends, are not ideologies that exist somewhere out there among