--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some states have lost their liberty, by…" description: "\"Some states have lost their liberty, by particular accidents: but this calamity is generally owing to the decay of virtue. A people is travelling fast ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/john-dickinson-18449_freedom_some-states-have-lost-their-liberty-by-p_3160012.jpg" --- # Some states have lost their liberty, by particular… ![“Some states have lost their liberty, by particular accidents: but this calamity is generally owing to the decay of virtue. A people is travelling fast to destruction, when individuals consider their interests as distinct from those of the public. Such notions are fatal to their country, and to…” quote by John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/john-dickinson-18449_freedom_some-states-have-lost-their-liberty-by-p_3160012.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/john-dickinson-18449_freedom_some-states-have-lost-their-liberty-by-p_3160012.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/180/john-dickinson-18449_freedom_some-states-have-lost-their-liberty-by-p_3160012.jpg) > “Some states have lost their liberty, by particular accidents: but this calamity is generally owing to the decay of virtue. A people is travelling fast to destruction, when individuals consider their interests as distinct from those of the public. Such notions are fatal to their country, and to themselves.” [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When personal interests diverge from the common good, societal decay follows, leading to loss of liberty. **In simple terms:** Prioritizing public good over selfish aims preserves liberty. Key Takeaway Align personal actions with communal welfare. Themes civic duty virtue liberty Mood thoughtful concerned Type philosophical historical When to use this quote - voting - community service - public policy - education Key Concepts political philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance personal goals with civic responsibility? - What virtues support a healthy society? A Different Perspective Individual freedom can clash with collective decisions; tension exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) ## Related quotes > [“Sound observation, do you call it? 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They do not depend on parchments or seals;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/our-liberties-do-not-come-from-charters-for-these-are-only-the/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [For I am convinced, that the authors of this law would never obtain an act to raise so trifling a sum as it must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/for-i-am-convinced-that-the-authors-of-this-law-would-never-obtain-an/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [Experience must be our only guide. Reason may mislead us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/experience-must-be-our-only-guide-reason-may-mislead-us/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [The power of the people pervading the proposed system, together with the strong confederation of the states, will form an adequate security against every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/the-power-of-the-people-pervading-the-proposed-system-together-with/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [If my property cannot be secure, in case others over whom I have no kind of influence, may take it from me by taxes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/if-my-property-cannot-be-secure-in-case-others-over-whom-i-have-no/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [Most men with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/most-men-with-nothing-would-rather-protect-the-possibility-of/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/with-hearts-fortified-with-these-animating-reflections-we-most/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [Our cause is just. 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