Civil liberties Quote by Alexander Hamilton
![“[If you understood the natural rights of mankind,] [y]ou would be convinced that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator to the whole human race, and that civil liberty is founded in that, and cannot be wrested from any people without the most manifest violation of justice.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/841/alexander-hamilton-619_civil-liberties_if-you-understood-the-natural-rights-of_545533.jpg)
“[If you understood the natural rights of mankind,] [y]ou would be convinced that natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator to the whole human race, and that civil liberty is founded in that, and cannot be wrested from any people without the most manifest violation of justice.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Federalist Papers, No. 84, 1786
Natural liberty is a divine gift to all humanity; civil liberty rests on it and cannot be taken without grave injustice.
In simple terms: Liberty comes from God; taking it is unjust.
Key Takeaway
Protect civil freedoms as sacred rights.
Themes
freedom
justice
human rights
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- civil rights activism
- legal reforms
Key Concepts
natural rights
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities accompany divine liberty?
- How to balance security and freedom?
A Different Perspective
Liberty can be limited by security concerns.
![“The rights [to religious freedom] are of the natural rights of mankind, and ... if any act shall be ... passed to repeal [an act granting those rights] or to narrow its operation, such act will be an infringement of natural right.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b59/thomas-jefferson-43_freedom_the-rights-to-religious-freedom-are-of-t_2762239.jpg)
![“[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd8/alexander-hamilton-619_banner_w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitutio_33383.jpg)
![“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg)
