Liberty is the proper end and object of authority, and cannot subsist without it; and it is liberty to that which is good, just, and honest.
Interpretation
Liberty is the ultimate goal of authority, and it can only exist alongside it when it serves just and honest purposes.
In this quote, John Winthrop articulates the relationship between liberty and authority, suggesting that genuine freedom is rooted in the presence of a rightful authority that upholds moral values. It emphasizes that liberty should not be an abstract concept but should be directed towards ensuring what is good, just, and honest in society, highlighting the moral responsibilities that come with freedom.
In practice
In a speech advocating for civil liberties, one might quote this to emphasize the moral foundations of freedom.
We must delight in each other, make others conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body.
The will of the people, moreover, practically means the will of the most numerous or the most active part of the people; the majority, or those who succeed in making themselves accepted as the majority; type people, consequently, may desire to oppress a part of their number; and precautions are as much needed against this as against any other abuse of power.
There exists a world. In terms of probability this borders on the impossible. It would have been far more likely if, by chance, there was nothing at all. Then, at least, no one would have began asking why there was nothing.
Where are the dogs going? you people who pay so little attention ask. They are going about their business. And they are very punctilious, without wallets, notes, and without briefcases.
The time will come when mankind will begin to get away from the consciousness of needing so many material things. More security and peace will be found in the simple life.
The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls and tenements halls and whispered in the sounds of silence.
The bane of sects, especially in Bengal, is that if any one happens to have a different opinion, he immediately starts a new sect, he has no patience to wait.
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