--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Liberty cannot be preserved, if the…" description: "\"Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted.\" — Algernon Sidney" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5e/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_liberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manne_1664116.png" --- # Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people… ![“Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted.” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5e/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_liberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manne_1664116.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5e/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_liberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manne_1664116.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c5e/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_liberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manne_1664116.png) > “Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted.” [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society must uphold liberty by maintaining virtuous public behavior; corruption erodes freedom. **In simple terms:** Good manners protect liberty. Key Takeaway Cultivate civic virtue. Themes freedom morality society Mood concerned serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - political discourse - education - community leadership Key Concepts civic virtue ethical decay Questions to Reflect On - How does personal conduct influence collective liberty? - What safeguards can prevent moral decline? A Different Perspective Corruption can be subtle and systemic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manners/) ## Related quotes > [ \[L\]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . . ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/l-iberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manners-of-the-people-are/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [It doesn't matter how many A-levels you have, what kind of a degree you have, if you have good manners, people will like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-reardon/it-doesn-t-matter-how-many-a-levels-you-have-what-kind-of-a-degree/) [Kate Reardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-reardon/) > [“Good manners will often take people where neither money nor education will take them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-jackson-coppin/good-manners-will-often-take-people-where-neither-money-nor-education/) [Fanny Jackson Coppin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-jackson-coppin/) > [I remember manners, that's when people are scared to make other persons mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-donoghue/i-remember-manners-that-s-when-people-are-scared-to-make-other/) [Emma Donoghue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-donoghue/) > [In life, if you have an enthusiasm for what they call 'good manners,' sometimes people don't quite believe you. I've had that once or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/in-life-if-you-have-an-enthusiasm-for-what-they-call-good-manners/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [There is no one force, no group, and no class that is the preserver of liberty. Liberty is preserved by those who are against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-burnham/there-is-no-one-force-no-group-and-no-class-that-is-the-preserver-of/) [James Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-burnham/) > [“You see, we often get noncreative leaders, people most interested in preserving their own positions. They flock around centers of power. Such centers attract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/you-see-we-often-get-noncreative-leaders-people-most-interested-in/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [“There always have been and there always will be people who have been corrupted into enjoying any excuse for cruelty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/there-always-have-been-and-there-always-will-be-people-who-have-been/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I'm actually a humanist, believe it or not, and I believe even when people are corrupted, even when they've gone to the dark side,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hillcoat/i-m-actually-a-humanist-believe-it-or-not-and-i-believe-even-when/) [John Hillcoat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hillcoat/) > [“Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/our-will-is-always-for-our-own-good-but-we-do-not-always-see-what-2/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [Our will is always for our own good, but we do not always see what that is; the people is never corrupted, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/our-will-is-always-for-our-own-good-but-we-do-not-always-see-what/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The people is never corrupted, but it is often deceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-people-is-never-corrupted-but-it-is-often-deceived/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [“And liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people who have a right from the frame of their nature to knowledge...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/and-liberty-cannot-be-preserved-without-a-general-knowledge-among-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Men have always been obliged to fight to preserve liberty. Constitutions and laws do not safeguard liberty. It can be preserved only by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/men-have-always-been-obliged-to-fight-to-preserve-liberty/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [That no free government, nor the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-mason/that-no-free-government-nor-the-blessings-of-liberty-can-be-preserved/) [George Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-mason/) ## More by Algernon Sidney > [If vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/if-vice-and-corruption-prevail-liberty-cannot-subsist-but-if-virtue/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Machiavel, discoursing on these matters, finds virtue to be so essentially necessary to the establishment and preservation of liberty, that he thinks it impossible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/machiavel-discoursing-on-these-matters-finds-virtue-to-be-so/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Men lived like fishes; the great ones devoured the small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/men-lived-like-fishes-the-great-ones-devoured-the-small/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [ \[A\]ll popular and well-mixed governments \[republics\] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/a-ll-popular-and-well-mixed-governments-republics-are-ever/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Everyone sees they cannot well live asunder, nor many together, without some rule to which all must submit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/everyone-sees-they-cannot-well-live-asunder-nor-many-together-without/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [For violence or fraud can create no right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/for-violence-or-fraud-can-create-no-right/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/it-is-not-necessary-to-light-a-candle-to-the-sun/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Many things are unknown to the wisest, and the best men can never wholly divest themselves of passions and affections... nothing can or ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/many-things-are-unknown-to-the-wisest-and-the-best-men-can-never/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [If his Majesty is resolved to have my head, he may make a whistle of my arse if he pleases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/if-his-majesty-is-resolved-to-have-my-head-he-may-make-a-whistle-of/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Violence and fraud can create no right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/violence-and-fraud-can-create-no-right/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/that-which-is-not-just-is-not-law-and-that-which-is-not-law-ought-not/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [ \[L\]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . . ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/l-iberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-manners-of-the-people-are/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Liars need to have good memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/liars-need-to-have-good-memories/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [ \[I\]f vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/i-f-vice-and-corruption-prevail-liberty-cannot-subsist-but-if-virtue/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [We cannot distinguish truth from falsehood, right from wrong, or know what obedience we owe to the magistrate, or what we may justly expect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/we-cannot-distinguish-truth-from-falsehood-right-from-wrong-or-know/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) [Explore all 30 Algernon Sidney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. 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