quotations about freedom
The assumption that there must be a core concept of freedom common to all contested conceptions misrepresents the nature of the disputes. Typically, protagonists accuse each other of espousing conceptions which are not conceptions of freedom at all, but which are rather conceptions of power, opportunity, will, self-realization, and so forth. To assume that there is a core concept of freedom common to all conceptions is to assume agreement on at least some essential characteristics of freedom. But, for example, those who regard freedom as essentially "negative" will reject MacCallum's schema as too broad; those who believe that freedom is essentially self-realization will reject it as too narrow.
CHRISTINE SWANTON
Freedom: A Coherence Theory
The guerdon is priceless;
Up, up every land,
And know the true gladness
Of freedom of soul.
HORATIO STONE
Freedom
What a curious phenomenon it is that you can get men to die for the liberty of the world who will not make the little sacrifice that is needed to free themselves from their own individual bondage.
BRUCE BARTON
It's a Good Old World
The universal law of justice is: act externally in such a way that the free use of your will is compatible with the freedom of everyone according to a universal law.
IMMANUEL KANT
The Metaphysical Elements of Justice
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.
RONALD REAGAN
address to the annual meeting of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Mar. 30, 1967
Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose.
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
"Me and Bobby McGee"
Freedom would be meaningless without security in the home and in the streets.
NELSON MANDELA
speech, April 27, 1995