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Even the soberest judged it requisite to sacrifice one…

“Even the soberest judged it requisite to sacrifice one part of their liberty to ensure the other, as a man, dangerously wounded in any of his limbs, readily parts with it to save the rest of his body.” quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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““Even the soberest judged it requisite to sacrifice one part of their liberty to ensure the other, as a man, dangerously wounded in any of his limbs, readily parts with it to save the rest of his body.””

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People willingly sacrifice part of their freedom to protect the rest, like a wounded man protecting his body.

In simple terms: Freedom is traded for safety.

Key Takeaway

Balance liberty with security.

Themes

freedom security trade‑offs

Mood

thoughtful cautious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • government policy
  • personal safety decisions
  • civil liberties

Key Concepts

social contract rights collective safety

Questions to Reflect On

  • What freedoms are you willing to trade?
  • When does protecting safety become overreach?
A Different Perspective

Sacrificing liberty can lead to oppression.

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