Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage’s whole
existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the
process of setting man free from men.
The precondition of a civilized society is the barring of physical force from
social relationships—thus establishing the principle that if men wish to deal
with one another, they may do so only by means of reason: by discussion,
persuasion and voluntary, uncoerced agreement.
The necessary consequence of man’s right to life is his right to self-defense.
In a civilized society, force may be used only in retaliation and only against
those who initiate its use.