--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [T]he state should not impose a preferred…" description: "\"[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consisten..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg" --- # \[T\]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but… ![“[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg) > “\[T\]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A government should not dictate personal values, but ensure maximal freedom for individuals to choose their own goals while respecting others' freedoms. **In simple terms:** Governments must protect personal liberty and equality. Key Takeaway Protect freedom and respect others' rights. Themes liberty government individual rights equality Mood thoughtful balanced Type ethical political When to use this quote - policy making - education reform - community building - human rights advocacy Key Concepts political philosophy civil liberties social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure freedom without harming collective well‑being? - What limits should be placed on governmental influence over personal choices? A Different Perspective Balancing individual freedom with societal cohesion can be complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Individuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuals/) [Liberalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberalism/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-policy-of-the-american-government-is-to-leave-their-citizens-free/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“The policy of the American government is to leave its citizens free, neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-policy-of-the-american-government-is-to-leave-its-citizens-free/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [First, individual rights cannot be sacrificed for the sake of the general good, and second, the principles of justice that specify these rights cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-individual-rights-cannot-be-sacrificed-for-the-sake-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a world in which we are exposed to more information, more options, more philosophies, more perspectives than ever before, in which we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/in-a-world-in-which-we-are-exposed-to-more-information-more-options/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [“The only way to be comfortable with death is to understand and see yourself as something bigger than yourself; to choose values that stretch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/the-only-way-to-be-comfortable-with-death-is-to-understand-and-see/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [ “\[E\]ach person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with a similar liberty for others.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/e-ach-person-is-to-have-an-equal-right-to-the-most-extensive-basic/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [They say the state should not impose on its citizens a preferred way of life, but should leave them as free as possible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sandel/they-say-the-state-should-not-impose-on-its-citizens-a-preferred-way/) [Michael Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sandel/) > [“An education is truly “fitted for freedom” only if it is such as to produce free citizens, citizens who are free not because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-nussbaum/an-education-is-truly-fitted-for-freedom-only-if-it-is-such-as-to/) [Martha Nussbaum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-nussbaum/) > [What citizens of a free country would listen to any offers of good and skillful administration in return for the abdication of freedom?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/what-citizens-of-a-free-country-would-listen-to-any-offers-of-good/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [Without free, self-respecting, and autonomous citizens there can be no free and independent nations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-havel/without-free-self-respecting-and-autonomous-citizens-there-can-be-no-2/) [Vaclav Havel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-havel/) > [The chief aim of their constitution is that, whenever public needs permit, all citizens should be free, so far as possible, to withdraw their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/the-chief-aim-of-their-constitution-is-that-whenever-public-needs/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [The war on drugs has made government more powerful, citizens less free, and hasn't helped users or addicts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-mitchell/the-war-on-drugs-has-made-government-more-powerful-citizens-less-free/) [Victor Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-mitchell/) > [That is not a just government where arbitrary restrictions, exemptions, and monopolies deny to part of its citizens that free use of their faculties,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/that-is-not-a-just-government-where-arbitrary-restrictions-exemptions/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The government's objective, broadly expressed, is that all persons, whatever their level of ability, whether they live in town or country, have a right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-fraser/the-government-s-objective-broadly-expressed-is-that-all-persons/) Peter Fraser > [And this Nation, for all its hopes and all its boasts, will not be fully free until all its citizens are free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/and-this-nation-for-all-its-hopes-and-all-its-boasts-will-not-be/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Citizens quotes > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [I will be a model prisoner, as I have been a model citizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-edwards/i-will-be-a-model-prisoner-as-i-have-been-a-model-citizen/) [Edwin Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-edwards/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“The police ultimately pay the price for poor customer service when citizens become fearful of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-police-ultimately-pay-the-price-for-poor-customer-service-when/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [Worship isn't destructive, Martin. I know that. I don't. I only know it's the core of his life. What else has he got? He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/worship-isn-t-destructive-martin-i-know-that-i-don-t-i-only-know-it-s/) [Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/) > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [My dreams were always small and puny. All I ever needed was a little house with a little picket fence by the sea. Little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imelda-marcos/my-dreams-were-always-small-and-puny-all-i-ever-needed-was-a-little/) [Imelda Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imelda-marcos/) > [The average ordinary citizen can do a lot of different things when it comes to the climate crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-bender/the-average-ordinary-citizen-can-do-a-lot-of-different-things-when-it/) [Lawrence Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-bender/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Without the ability to talk about government power, there's no way for citizens to make sure this power isn't being misused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-swartz/without-the-ability-to-talk-about-government-power-there-s-no-way-for/) [Aaron Swartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-swartz/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What I will stand up for is what I think is right and for the best interests of the citizens of the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/what-i-will-stand-up-for-is-what-i-think-is-right-and-for-the-best/) [Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/) Browse all 4,189 Citizens quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred-way-of-life-but-should-leave/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizens" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred-way-of-life-but-should-leave/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to…” — Anonymous", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "[T]he state should not impose a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred-way-of-life-but-should-leave/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred-way-of-life-but-should-leave/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```