So plain that no one, high or low, ever does mistake it…
“So plain that no one, high or low, ever does mistake it, except in a plainly selfish way; for although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it, by being a slave himself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People often praise oppression as beneficial, yet true benefit comes from freedom, not from willingly becoming enslaved.
In simple terms: Freedom is better than forced benefit.
Key Takeaway
Choose liberty over imposed advantage.
Themes
freedom
morality
labor
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- workplace policies
- education reform
- civil rights movements
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
social justice
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “good” mean in a free society?
- How do we balance liberty with collective welfare?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may overlook practical economic pressures.