No secret that I am a big fan of Frederic Bastiat. I read "The Law" for an Economics class at YorktownUniversity.com (Rah! Rah! Free Persons -- Beat the Jacobins!). I have been hooked ever since, more's the pity that his native France did not take his advice.
Brian Micklethwait at Samizdata quotes at length from "The Law" in a great homage, Frédéric Bastiat looks at the entire world
And does not experience prove this? Look at the entire world. Which countries contain the most peaceful, the most moral, and the happiest people? Those people are found in the countries where the law least interferes with private affairs; where government is least felt; where the individual has the greatest scope, and free opinion the greatest influence; where administrative powers are fewest and simplest; where taxes are lightest and most nearly equal, and popular discontent the least excited and the least justifiable; where individuals and groups most actively assume their responsibilities, and, consequently where the morals of admittedly imperfect human beings are constantly improving; where trade, assemblies, and associations are the least restricted; where labour, capital, and populations suffer the fewest forced displacements; where mankind most nearly follows its own natural inclinations; where the inventions of men are most nearly in harmony with the laws of God; in short, the happiest, most moral, and most peaceful people are those who most nearly follow this principle: although mankind is not perfect, still, all hope rests upon the free and voluntary actions of persons within the limits of right; law or force is to be used for nothing except the administration of universal justice.
This book, written in 1850, roughly marks the beginning of the era of economic meddling by government. Now we are witnessing its inescapable grasp, and the predictable result.
As for succinct statements of defensible beliefs I offer this more comprehensive version, written in 1962: http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/io.html
Who could disagree with any of these other than "dyed-in-the-wool wealth redistributing socialists?"