Answers Quote by Benjamin Franklin
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. This sentence was much used in the Revolutionary period. It occurs even so early as November, 1755, in an answer by the Assembly of Pennsylvania to the Governor, and forms the motto of Franklin's "Historical Review," 1759, appearing also in the body of the work. -Frothingham: Rise of the Republic of the United States, p. 413.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Rise of the Republic of the United States, 1902
Sacrificing essential freedoms for temporary safety undermines both liberty and security.
In simple terms: Don’t trade freedom for short‑term safety.
Key Takeaway
Guard core rights.
Themes
freedom
security
political philosophy
civil liberties
risk
Mood
cautious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- emergency response
- legal frameworks
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
social contract
authoritarianism
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms are most vital?
- How to assess genuine safety threats?
A Different Perspective
Trade‑off can be ambiguous in crises.
