Eugene V. Debs on freedom

The most heroic word in all languages is REVOLUTION.

Denial of one’s better self seals the lips or pollutes them. Fidelity to conviction opens them and truth blossoms in eloquence.

If ever I become entirely respectable I shall be quite sure that I have outlived myself.

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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