American slavery Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“If any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly, those who desire it for others”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Gettysburg Address, 1863 (paraphrased)
Freedom should never be imposed; those who seek it for themselves or others become enslaved by their own desires.
In simple terms: Desiring freedom for selfish reasons leads to bondage.
Key Takeaway
Beware of imposing freedom as a personal agenda.
Themes
freedom
slavery
intent
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- activism
- education
- leadership
Key Concepts
political philosophy
human rights
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- When does seeking freedom become domination?
- How can we balance personal liberty with collective good?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overlook collective struggles for liberty.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
