SELF HELP

means

HELP YOURSELF

1. The DEFENSE OF ONE'S SELF, or the mutual and reciprocal defense of such as stand in the relations of husband and wife, parent and child, master and servant. In these cases, if the party himself, or any these his relations, be FORCIBLY ATTACKED in his person or property it is LAWFUL for him to Repel Force BY FORCE; and the breach of the peace which happens is chargeable upon him only who began the affray. For the law in this case respects the passions of the human mind, and when external violence is offered to a man himself, or those to whom he bears a near connection makes it lawful in him to do that immediate justice to which he is prompted by nature, and which no prudential motives are strong enough to restrain.

It considers the future process of law is by no means adequate remedy for injuries accompanied with force; SINCE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY TO WHAT WANTON LENGTHS OF RAPINE OR CRUELTY OUTRAGES OF THIS SORT MIGHT BE CARRIED UNLESS IT WERE PERMITTED A MAN IMMEDIATELY TO OPPOSE ONE VIOLENCE WITH ANOTHER. SELF DEFENSE therefore as it is justly called the primary law of nature, so it is not, neither can it be, in fact, TAKEN AWAY BY THE LAW OF SOCIETY. In the English law particularly it is held as a excuse for breaches of the peace, nay even homicide it-self: but care must be taken that the resistance does not exceed the bounds of mere defense and prevention: for then the defender would himself become an aggressor.

Mr Blackstone was a Wise and Logical Jurist; Who, with his enormous Knowledge of Functional Law, has been in part responsible, for Many of the "LEGAL" LAWS that are in force today.