Originally published in 1850 "La loi" was written two years after the third French Revolution of 1848 and a few months before Bastiat's death of tuberculosis at age 49. This translation to American English is from 1874.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ... God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion; what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.