Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usefulness of which all mankind are agreed.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Though liberty is established by law, we must be vigilant, for liberty to enslave us is always present under that very liberty. Our Constitution speaks of the "general welfare of the people." Under that phrase all sorts of excesses can be employed by lusting tyrants to make us bondsmen.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Liberty requires constant vigilance to prevent it from becoming a tool of oppression.
Cicero emphasizes the dual nature of liberty, suggesting that while it is enshrined in law, it also has the potential to lead to oppression if not carefully monitored. He warns that those in power may exploit the concept of liberty to impose tyranny, thus making citizens enslaved under the guise of ensuring their liberties and welfare. This call for vigilance is a reminder of the responsibilities that accompany freedom.
Themes
LibertyVigilanceTyrannyFreedomOppression
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on civil rights, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of safeguarding liberties.
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