Abdication Quote by John Stuart Mill
“What citizens of a free country would listen to any offers of good and skillful administration in return for the abdication of freedom?”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Liberty, John Stuart Mill, 1859
Freedom is essential; surrendering it for promises of good governance undermines true liberty.
In simple terms: Freedom must not be traded for promises.
Key Takeaway
Guard liberty against false promises.
Themes
freedom
government
responsibility
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political activism
- voting
- civic engagement
- public policy
Key Concepts
liberalism
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms would you never compromise?
- How do you evaluate promises of governance?
A Different Perspective
Even good administration can become oppressive if freedom is relinquished.
![“[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/img-quotes/719/anonymous-1_citizens_t-he-state-should-not-impose-a-preferred_2056429.jpg)
![“The reality is that the media are probably the most powerful of all our institutions today and they, or rather we [journalists], too often are squandering our power and ignoring our obligations. The consequence of our abdication of responsibility is the ugly spectacle of idiot culture!” quote by Carl Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86a/carl-bernstein-10988_abdication_the-reality-is-that-the-media-are-probab_59464.jpg)
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
