--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Since they are our right, let us be…" description: "\"Since they are our right, let us be vigilant to preserve them uninfringed, and free from encroachments. If animosities arise, and we should be obliged ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/benjamin-franklin-65_animosity_since-they-are-our-right-let-us-be-vigil_1626769.png" --- # Since they are our right, let us be vigilant to preserve… ![“Since they are our right, let us be vigilant to preserve them uninfringed, and free from encroachments. If animosities arise, and we should be obliged to resort to party, let each of us range himself on the side which unfurls the ensigns of public good. Faction will then vanish, which, if not…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/benjamin-franklin-65_animosity_since-they-are-our-right-let-us-be-vigil_1626769.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/benjamin-franklin-65_animosity_since-they-are-our-right-let-us-be-vigil_1626769.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20d/benjamin-franklin-65_animosity_since-they-are-our-right-let-us-be-vigil_1626769.png) > “Since they are our right, let us be vigilant to preserve them uninfringed, and free from encroachments. If animosities arise, and we should be obliged to resort to party, let each of us range himself on the side which unfurls the ensigns of public good. Faction will then vanish, which, if not timely suppressed, may overturn the balance, the palladium of liberty, and crush us under its ruins.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizens must guard their rights, avoid faction, and prioritize the public good to protect liberty. **In simple terms:** Guard rights, avoid factions, serve public good. Key Takeaway Stay vigilant, prioritize collective welfare. Themes liberty citizenship politics Mood serious determined Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government policy - community meetings - activism - civic education Key Concepts public good balance faction rights vigilance Questions to Reflect On - How can individuals balance personal liberty with collective responsibility? - What mechanisms best prevent factionalism? A Different Perspective Factions can arise despite vigilance, requiring strong institutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity/) [Arise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arise/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) [Encroachment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encroachment/) [Ensigns Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ensigns-public-346070/) [Factions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factions/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Good Faction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-faction-346069/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Obliged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obliged/) [Palladium Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/palladium-liberty-346068/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Preserve Uninfringed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserve-uninfringed-346071/) [Preserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserves/) [Public good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-good/) [Range](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/range/) [Resorts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resorts/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Timely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/timely/) [Unfurls Ensigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfurls-ensigns-346067/) [Vigilant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigilant/) [Voting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voting/) ## Related quotes > [I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am naturally very jealous for the rights and liberties of my country,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-a-mortal-enemy-to-arbitrary-government-and-unlimited-power-i-am/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-am-a-mortal-enemy-to-arbitrary-government-and-unlimited-power/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Abstract reason, formerly the servant of practical human reasons, has everywhere become its master, and denies poetry any excuse for existence. 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Brandeis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-d-brandeis/) > [I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-hold-it-that-a-little-rebellion-now-and-then-is-a-good-thing-and-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create whatever the form of government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-spirit-of-encroachment-tends-to-consolidate-the-powers-of-all-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If middle-class Americans do not feel threatened by the slow encroachment of the police state or the Patriot Act, it is because they live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bageant/if-middle-class-americans-do-not-feel-threatened-by-the-slow/) [Joe Bageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bageant/) > [Strongly guarded as is the separation between Religion and Government in the Constitution of the United States, the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/strongly-guarded-as-is-the-separation-between-religion-and-government/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [If anywhere the day is made holy for the mere day's sake - if anyone set up its observance on a Jewish foundation, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/if-anywhere-the-day-is-made-holy-for-the-mere-day-s-sake-if-anyone/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Truth is sensitive and jealous of the least encroachment upon its sacredness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-bronson-alcott/truth-is-sensitive-and-jealous-of-the-least-encroachment-upon-its/) [Amos Bronson Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-bronson-alcott/) > [I have a duty to protect the Executive Branch from legislative encroachment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-have-a-duty-to-protect-the-executive-branch-from-legislative/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [The arts of power and its minions are the same in all countries and in all ages. It marks its victim; denounces it; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-clay/the-arts-of-power-and-its-minions-are-the-same-in-all-countries-and/) [Henry Clay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-clay/) > [To appeal to contemporary man to revert, in this twentieth century, to a pagan-like nature worship in order to restrain technology from further encroachment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-lamm/to-appeal-to-contemporary-man-to-revert-in-this-twentieth-century-to/) [Norman Lamm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-lamm/) > [To write or even speak English is not a science but an art. There are no reliable words… Whoever writes English is involved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/to-write-or-even-speak-english-is-not-a-science-but-an-art-there-are/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Nature soothes us. Nature heals us, and something more, the woods are a place of power. Any woods that are still surviving on this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nature-soothes-us-nature-heals-us-and-something-more-the-woods-are-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Animosity quotes > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [We live in a country where there is a lot of animosity. If your politics is radical it antagonises. People might think I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-jones/we-live-in-a-country-where-there-is-a-lot-of-animosity-if-your/) [Owen Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-jones/) > [Life Appears To Be Too Short To Be Spent In Nursing Animosity Or Registering Wrong...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/life-appears-to-be-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [You look out into the audience and you see so much joy on people's faces. You make eye contact with people who are almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mcvie/you-look-out-into-the-audience-and-you-see-so-much-joy-on-people-s/) [Christine McVie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mcvie/) > [Where there has been racial hatred, it must be ended. Where there has been tribal animosity, it will be finished. Let us not dwell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jomo-kenyatta/where-there-has-been-racial-hatred-it-must-be-ended-where-there-has/) [Jomo Kenyatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jomo-kenyatta/) > [ \[Football is\] a game that requires the constant conjuring of animosity. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/football-is-a-game-that-requires-the-constant-conjuring-of-animosity/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [“No matter how powerful hate seems, it cannot usurp the throne of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/no-matter-how-powerful-hate-seems-it-cannot-usurp-the-throne-of-love/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“You could start a fire with the heat between you two." "You're mistaking bitter animosity for heartfelt affection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-hodkin/you-could-start-a-fire-with-the-heat-between-you-two-you-re-mistaking/) [Michelle Hodkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-hodkin/) > [But if you should take the bond of goodwill out of the universe no house or city could stand, nor would even the tillage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/but-if-you-should-take-the-bond-of-goodwill-out-of-the-universe-no/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [It is extremely interesting to me that black males, and other black folk, are viewed as self-pitying, by either other blacks who have failed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/it-is-extremely-interesting-to-me-that-black-males-and-other-black/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [The second effort was spreading the word among the people, first, in a bid to raise their morale, and second to instil in them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-nasrallah/the-second-effort-was-spreading-the-word-among-the-people-first-in-a/) [Hassan Nasrallah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-nasrallah/) > [I've been in and out of Wall Street since 1949, and I've never seen the type of animosity between government and Wall Street. 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You go through all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-hawke/what-i-learned-about-acting-from-my-experiences-directing-is-why-so/) [Ethan Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-hawke/) [Browse all 187 Animosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animosity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Since they are our right, let us be vigilant to preserve them uninfringed, and free from encroachments. If animosities arise, and we should be obliged to resort to party, let each of us range himself on the side which unfurls the ensigns of public good. 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