Quotes About Freedom

Be not intimidated, therefore, by any terrors, from publishing with the utmost freedom whatever can be warranted by the laws of your country; nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberty by any pretenses of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery, and cowardice.

Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion... in private self-defense.

Books that cannot bear examination, certainly ought not to be established as divine inspiration by penal laws.

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.

Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it.

The jaws of power are always opened to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing.

The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people.

When People talk of the Freedom of Writing, Speaking or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists: but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.

I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry, and Porcelaine.

Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty but it is religion and morality alone that can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.

A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, 'that the institution of youth should be accommodated to that form of government under which they live; forasmuch as it makes exceedingly for the preservation of the present government, whatsoever it be.

Government has no right to hurt a hair on the head of an Atheist for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices. { Letter to his son and future president, John Quincy Adams , 16 June 1816 }

Be not intimidated...nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.

These things shall be—a loftier raceThan e'er the world hath known shall riseWith flame of freedom in their souls,And light of knowledge in their eyes.

To choose a good book, look in an inquisitor's prohibited list.