Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty; power is ever…
“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty; power is ever stealing from the many to the few. The manna of popular liberty must be gathered each day or it is rotten. The living sap of today outgrows the dead rind of yesterday. The hand entrusted with power becomes, either form human depravity or esprit de corps, the necessary enemy of the people. Only by continued oversight can the democrat in office be prevented from hardening into a despot; only by unintermitted agitation can a people be sufficiently awake to principle not to let liberty be smothered in material prosperity.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Liberty requires constant vigilance; power tends to concentrate and corrupt, so continuous oversight is essential to prevent tyranny.
In simple terms: Freedom needs daily watch; power corrupts without checks.
Key Takeaway
Stay alert, demand accountability.
Themes
freedom
power
accountability
citizen vigilance
democracy
Mood
cautious
determined
hopeful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government oversight
- community activism
- media monitoring
- public education
- election participation
Key Concepts
political theory
social contract
ethical stewardship
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies sustain long‑term vigilance?
- What mechanisms best prevent power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Power can be entrenched despite oversight, and vigilance may fatigue citizens.