In his latest Takimag column, Theodore Dalrymple starts with an interesting discussion on the concept of rights before transitioning into the topic of doctors being allowed to have visible tattoos.

Needless to say, too acute an awareness of rights has a harmful effect on the human character. Everyone is on the qui vive for a denial of his rights, perhaps even hoping for one so that he can become righteously indignant at the injustice done him. What is granted as a right is rarely received with gratitude, nor does what is granted as a right have to be earned by effort; for I have a right to x, why should I work to obtain it?