Hubert Humphrey on freedom

Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.

What we need are critical lovers of America⁠—patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.

We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to William Stephens Smith (13 November 1787). Manuscript at the Library of Congress.

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The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.

John Philpot Curran1750–1817Often credited to Thomas Jefferson

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin1706–1790This was first used by Franklin for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its “Reply to the Governor” (November 11, 1755) Reply to the Governor

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