--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Liberty of conscience is nowadays only…" description: "\"Liberty of conscience is nowadays only understood to be the liberty of believing what men please, but also of endeavoring to propagate that belief as m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/jonathan-swift-433_belief_liberty-of-conscience-is-nowadays-only-u_3024037.jpg" --- # Liberty of conscience is nowadays only understood to be… ![“Liberty of conscience is nowadays only understood to be the liberty of believing what men please, but also of endeavoring to propagate that belief as much as they can.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/jonathan-swift-433_belief_liberty-of-conscience-is-nowadays-only-u_3024037.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/jonathan-swift-433_belief_liberty-of-conscience-is-nowadays-only-u_3024037.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/jonathan-swift-433_belief_liberty-of-conscience-is-nowadays-only-u_3024037.jpg) > “Liberty of conscience is nowadays only understood to be the liberty of believing what men please, but also of endeavoring to propagate that belief as much as they can.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom of conscience includes both belief and the active spread of that belief, not just personal acceptance. **In simple terms:** Freedom means believing and sharing beliefs openly. Key Takeaway Balance personal belief with respectful advocacy. Themes freedom conscience expression advocacy belief Mood critical thoughtful analytical Type philosophical political ethical When to use this quote - public debate - educational settings - media commentary - activism Key Concepts political philosophy ethics civil liberty Questions to Reflect On - When does advocacy become coercion? - How to respect differing beliefs while advocating? A Different Perspective Excessive propagation can infringe on others' rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [Conscience Nowadays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience-nowadays-4908570/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-believing-4908571/) [Liberty Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-conscience-897517/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Please](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/please/) [Speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speech/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [Understood Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-liberty-4908572/) ## Related quotes > [By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/by-liberty-of-conscience-we-understand-not-only-a-mere-liberty-of-the/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for giving to Mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-citizens-of-the-united-states-of-america-have-a-right-to-applaud/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/as-long-as-our-government-is-administered-for-the-good-of-the-people/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [For that which you mention concerning liberty of conscience, I meddle not with any man's conscience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-cromwell/for-that-which-you-mention-concerning-liberty-of-conscience-i-meddle/) [Oliver Cromwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-cromwell/) > [If those who oppose Freethought did not strive to force all to think as they do, accept Christ by faith, believe the bible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etta-semple/if-those-who-oppose-freethought-did-not-strive-to-force-all-to-think/) [Etta Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etta-semple/) > [The lessons of religious toleration - a toleration which recognizes complete liberty of human thought, liberty of conscience - is one which, by precept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-lessons-of-religious-toleration-a-toleration-which-recognizes/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“We think ourselves possessed, or at least we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects and of the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least-we-boast-that-we-are-so-of-2/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Of the liberty of conscience in matters of religious faith, of speech and of the press; of the trial by jury of the vicinage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-monroe/of-the-liberty-of-conscience-in-matters-of-religious-faith-of-speech/) [James Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-monroe/) > [“A recent book by University of Chicago professor of philosophy and law Brian Leiter outlines what I believe will become the theoretical consensus that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-recent-book-by-university-of-chicago-professor-of-philosophy-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To discriminate against a thoroughly upright citizen because he belongs to some particular church, or because, like Abraham Lincoln, he has not avowed his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/to-discriminate-against-a-thoroughly-upright-citizen-because-he/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Liberty of conscience is for those who truly fear the Lord. A fundamental task of the state is the establishment of pure religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cotton/liberty-of-conscience-is-for-those-who-truly-fear-the-lord-a/) [John Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cotton/) > [It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-behooves-every-man-who-values-liberty-of-conscience-for-himself-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [And what is liberty, whose very name makes the heart beat faster and shakes the world? Is it not the union of all liberties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/and-what-is-liberty-whose-very-name-makes-the-heart-beat-faster-and/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects, and of the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-think-ourselves-possessed-or-at-least-we-boast-that-we-are-so-of/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Whoever attempts to suppress liberty of conscience finishes some day by wishing for the Inquisition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-simon/whoever-attempts-to-suppress-liberty-of-conscience-finishes-some-day/) [Jules Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-simon/) ## More by Jonathan Swift > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/he-said-he-knew-no-reason-why-those-who-entertain-opinions/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-with-borrow-d-silver-shine-what-you-see-is-none-of-mine-first-i/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A favor is half granted, when graciously refused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-favor-is-half-granted-when-graciously-refused/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-never-wonder-to-see-men-wicked-but-i-often-wonder-to-see-them-not/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/the-best-maxim-i-know-in-this-life-is-to-drink-your-coffee-when-you/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A lie is an excuse guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-lie-is-an-excuse-guarded/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-forward-critic-often-dupes-us-with-sham-quotations-peri-hupsos-and/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [May you live every day of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/may-you-live-every-day-of-your-life/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/ale-is-meat-drink-and-cloth-it-will-make-a-cat-speak-and-a-wise-man/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/all-fits-of-pleasure-are-balanced-by-an-equal-degree-of-pain-or/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/satire-is-a-sort-of-glass-wherein-beholders-do-generally-discover/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“When a great genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/when-a-great-genius-appears-in-the-world-you-may-know-him-by-this/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I have ever hated all nations, professions, and communities, and all my love is toward individuals: for instance, I hate the tribe of lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-have-ever-hated-all-nations-professions-and-communities-and-all-my/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [So endless and exorbitant are the desires of men that they will grasp at all, and can form no scheme of perfect happiness with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/so-endless-and-exorbitant-are-the-desires-of-men-that-they-will-grasp/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) [Explore all 535 Jonathan Swift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. 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