--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fundamental precept of liberty is…" description: "\"The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration.\" — Calvin Coolidge" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/calvin-coolidge-764_freedom_the-fundamental-precept-of-liberty-is-to_2078342.jpg" --- # The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration. ![“The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/calvin-coolidge-764_freedom_the-fundamental-precept-of-liberty-is-to_2078342.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/calvin-coolidge-764_freedom_the-fundamental-precept-of-liberty-is-to_2078342.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da5/calvin-coolidge-764_freedom_the-fundamental-precept-of-liberty-is-to_2078342.jpg) > “The fundamental precept of liberty is toleration.” [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Liberty thrives when society accepts differing beliefs and practices. **In simple terms:** Freedom depends on tolerating others. Key Takeaway Practice tolerance to protect liberty. Themes freedom tolerance diversity Mood thoughtful serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - public policy - community building - multicultural workplaces - education Key Concepts political philosophy civil rights Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance tolerance with protecting core values? - What limits, tolerance have in a democratic society? A Different Perspective Tolerance can be challenged by extreme views or fear. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Tolerance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tolerance/) [Toleration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toleration/) ## Related quotes > [Our contention is not for mere toleration, but for absolute liberty. There is a wide difference between toleration and liberty. Toleration implies that somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-truett/our-contention-is-not-for-mere-toleration-but-for-absolute-liberty/) [George W Truett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-truett/) > [Know your numbers' is a fundamental precept of business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/know-your-numbers-is-a-fundamental-precept-of-business/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [That the religious right completely took over the word Christian is a given. At one time, phrases such as Christian charity and Christian tolerance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/that-the-religious-right-completely-took-over-the-word-christian-is-a/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [“The liberty I contend for is more than toleration. The very idea of toleration is despicable; it supposes that some have a pre-eminence above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-a-spellberg/the-liberty-i-contend-for-is-more-than-toleration-the-very-idea-of/) Denise A. Spellberg > [A tolerant society is one in which we criminalise an activity only as a last resort. Toleration is not just about allowing people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gummer/a-tolerant-society-is-one-in-which-we-criminalise-an-activity-only-as/) [John Gummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gummer/) > [“Locke’s essay on Toleration of 1689 argued for the toleration of opinions and ways of life with which you do not agree, as one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/locke-s-essay-on-toleration-of-1689-argued-for-the-toleration-of/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of toleration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/i-have-seen-gross-intolerance-shown-in-support-of-toleration/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [It is intolerance to speak of toleration. Away with the word from the dictionary!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-de-riqueti-marquis-de-mirabeau/it-is-intolerance-to-speak-of-toleration-away-with-the-word-from-the/) [Victor de Riqueti, marquis de Mirabeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-de-riqueti-marquis-de-mirabeau/) > [Tolerance is the only real test of civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/tolerance-is-the-only-real-test-of-civilization/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [It is sometimes said that toleration should be refused to the intolerant. In practice this would destroy it... The only remedy for dogmatism and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-cary/it-is-sometimes-said-that-toleration-should-be-refused-to-the/) [Joyce Cary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-cary/) > [“The theory of the relations between states and churches is bound up with the theory of Toleratio, and on that suject the eighteenth century…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/the-theory-of-the-relations-between-states-and-churches-is-bound-up/) [John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-emerich-edward-dalberg-acton/) > [Persecution always says, 'I know the consequences of your opinion better than you know them yourselves.' 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There is no excuse for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/i-resolutely-believe-that-respect-for-diversity-is-a-fundamental/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) ## More by Calvin Coolidge > [Not all those who are attempting to conduct successful businesses are profiteers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/not-all-those-who-are-attempting-to-conduct-successful-businesses-are/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [A wholesome regard for the memory of the great men of long ago is the best assurance to a people of a continuation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/a-wholesome-regard-for-the-memory-of-the-great-men-of-long-ago-is-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-have-noticed-that-nothing-i-have-never-said-ever-did-me-any-harm/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [“It has been my observation in life that, if one will only exercise the patience to wait, his wants are likely to be filled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/it-has-been-my-observation-in-life-that-if-one-will-only-exercise-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The man who builds a factory builds a temple, that the man who works there worships there, and to each is due, not scorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-man-who-builds-a-factory-builds-a-temple-that-the-man-who-works/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [The property of the people belongs to the people. 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The mind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/we-cannot-permit-any-inquisition-either-within-or-without-the-law-or/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) [Explore all 376 Calvin Coolidge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## 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. 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