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Quotes about liberty

136 quotes from 75 people

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The main political problem is how to prevent the police power from becoming tyrannical. This is the meaning of all the struggles for liberty.
Ludwig von Mises1881–1973The Ultimate Foundation of Economic Science (1962), Chapter 5: On Some Popular Errors Concerning the Scope and Method of Economics, § 10: The Concept of a Perfect System of Government
- Government
If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.
George Orwell1903–1950
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.
Thomas Paine1737–1809First Principles of Government (1795)
We have depended on government for so much for so long that we as people have become less vigilant of our liberties.
Ron Paulborn 1935Speech in the House of Representatives, September 17, 1997
- Government
The suppression of liberty is always likely to be irrational.
John Rawls1921–2002A Theory of Justice (1971; 1975; 1999), Chapter IV, Section 33, p. 210
In an atmosphere of liberty, artists and patrons are free to think the unthinkable and create the audacious; they are free to make both horrendous mistakes and glorious celebrations.
Ronald Reagan1911–2004
As government expands, liberty contracts.
Ronald Reagan1911–2004Ronald Reagan’s Farewell Address (1989)
- Government
In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want … everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear … anywhere in the world.
Franklin D. Roosevelt1882–1945State of the Union Address (6 January 1941)
- Freedom
A country cannot subsist well without liberty, nor liberty without virtue.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778Often credited to Daniel Webster
- Virtue
Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book I, Chapter IIn context
- Freedom
Tranquillity is found also in dungeons; but is that enough to make them desirable places to live in?
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book I, Chapter IVIn context
- Freedom
To renounce liberty is to renounce being a man, to surrender the rights of humanity and even its duties. For him who renounces everything no indemnity is possible. Such a renunciation is incompatible with man’s nature; to remove all liberty from his will is to remove all morality from his acts.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau1712–1778The Social Contract (1762), Book I, Chapter IVIn context
- Morality
Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970Sceptical Essays (1928), Ch. 13: Freedom in Society
- Economics
Too little liberty brings stagnation, and too much brings chaos.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970Authority and the Individual (1949), p. 37
I cannot make liberty my aim unless I make that of others equally my aim.
Jean-Paul Sartre1905–1980Existentialism Is a Humanism (1946), p. 52