--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We don't really like rules. We think, in…" description: "\"We don't really like rules. We think, in some way, they are an infringement of liberty.\" — Julian Fellowes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/julian-fellowes-2981_freedom_we-don-t-really-like-rules-we-think-in-s_112095.png" --- # We don't really like rules. We think, in some way, they… ![“We don't really like rules. We think, in some way, they are an infringement of liberty.” quote by Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/julian-fellowes-2981_freedom_we-don-t-really-like-rules-we-think-in-s_112095.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/julian-fellowes-2981_freedom_we-don-t-really-like-rules-we-think-in-s_112095.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/julian-fellowes-2981_freedom_we-don-t-really-like-rules-we-think-in-s_112095.png) > “We don't really like rules. We think, in some way, they are an infringement of liberty.” [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rules are perceived as constraints on freedom, yet they also structure the space in which liberty can be exercised. **In simple terms:** People view rules as limiting personal freedom. Key Takeaway Freedom is defined in relation to constraints. Themes liberty authority individualism social contract Mood thoughtful skeptical Type political ethical When to use this quote - debates over surveillance laws - workplace dress codes - traffic regulations Key Concepts political philosophy psychology of autonomy Practical Applications - frame rules as enablers of choice - communicate the purpose behind regulations Questions to Reflect On - When do rules protect liberty rather than restrict it? - How can we balance personal freedom with societal order? A Different Perspective Some rules are essential for collective safety, not merely infringements of liberty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) ## Related quotes > [I just like playing with makeup and clothes - so I really don't feel like there are rules, and if there are rules, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kesha/i-just-like-playing-with-makeup-and-clothes-so-i-really-don-t-feel/) [Kesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kesha/) > [Most rules that you think are written in stone are just societal. You can change the game and really reach for the stars and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-thrun/most-rules-that-you-think-are-written-in-stone-are-just-societal-you/) [Sebastian Thrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-thrun/) > [“Rules will break you as often as you break them. But I guess that’s okay. Maybe I’m done with rules.For now, anyway. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-c-anderson/rules-will-break-you-as-often-as-you-break-them-but-i-guess-that-s/) [Natalie C. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-c-anderson/) > [If you don't like their rules, whose would you use?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brown/if-you-don-t-like-their-rules-whose-would-you-use/) [Charlie Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brown/) > [I don't think that golf has a place for two sets of rules. I think one of the reasons that the game has progressed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-palmer/i-don-t-think-that-golf-has-a-place-for-two-sets-of-rules-i-think-one/) [Arnold Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-palmer/) > [If we only obey those rules that we think are just and reasonable, then no rule will stand, for there is no rule that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/if-we-only-obey-those-rules-that-we-think-are-just-and-reasonable/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [I think the President of the United States must operate by rules. I think our judicial system must operate by the rules. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-think-the-president-of-the-united-states-must-operate-by-rules-i/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [“Who made up all these rules anyway? 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We think rules would help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-blecharczyk/there-s-a-perception-out-there-that-airbnb-doesn-t-want-there-to-be/) [Nathan Blecharczyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-blecharczyk/) > [Whenever you deal with science fiction you are setting up a world of rules. I think you work hard to establish the rules. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/whenever-you-deal-with-science-fiction-you-are-setting-up-a-world-of/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I play by my own rules so please think twice before you step into my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rihanna/i-play-by-my-own-rules-so-please-think-twice-before-you-step-into-my/) [Rihanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rihanna/) > [“You can't change the rules and think everyone else is just going to keep playing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katja-millay/you-can-t-change-the-rules-and-think-everyone-else-is-just-going-to-2/) [Katja Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katja-millay/) > [“It's like the rules switch for a beach and everyone suddenly knows how to behave like an advanced human”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dakota-lane/it-s-like-the-rules-switch-for-a-beach-and-everyone-suddenly-knows/) [Dakota Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dakota-lane/) ## More by Julian Fellowes > [You do get fond of your characters. Handing them on is like giving a child to a nanny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/you-do-get-fond-of-your-characters-handing-them-on-is-like-giving-a/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [Well, you've got to be known for something. The danger of extreme versatility is that you don't spring to mind for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/well-you-ve-got-to-be-known-for-something-the-danger-of-extreme/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [“The freedom of growing older is that one is no longer obliged to dislike someone simply because they dislike you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/the-freedom-of-growing-older-is-that-one-is-no-longer-obliged-to/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [If you're supposed to be a 'personality,' then you might as well have a personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/if-you-re-supposed-to-be-a-personality-then-you-might-as-well-have-a/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [You see, in America, it's quite standard for an actor to sign, at the beginning of a series, for five or seven years. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/you-see-in-america-it-s-quite-standard-for-an-actor-to-sign-at-the/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [“Real unhappiness is ugly and wounding and scarring to the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/real-unhappiness-is-ugly-and-wounding-and-scarring-to-the-soul/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [“The longer one knows people the less relevant it becomes whether or not one liked them initially.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/the-longer-one-knows-people-the-less-relevant-it-becomes-whether-or/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [Sometimes the weekend gets hijacked by work, but as my mother would say, this is the right problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/sometimes-the-weekend-gets-hijacked-by-work-but-as-my-mother-would/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [“How many of us, having cried bitter, rancid tears over a failed love, are actually disappointed when we discover, seeing the adored one again,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/how-many-of-us-having-cried-bitter-rancid-tears-over-a-failed-love/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [I like to take a long time over breakfast, and I can't bear to talk. If a guest is a breakfast talker it's very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/i-like-to-take-a-long-time-over-breakfast-and-i-can-t-bear-to-talk-if/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [I always loved movies and the cinema; we always used to go to see films as a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/i-always-loved-movies-and-the-cinema-we-always-used-to-go-to-see/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [You know, I'm not a revolutionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/you-know-i-m-not-a-revolutionary/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [Nothing is harder to dramatize than happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/nothing-is-harder-to-dramatize-than-happiness/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [We are usually undone by our lack of understanding of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/we-are-usually-undone-by-our-lack-of-understanding-of-ourselves/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) > [There are some men who are frightened by strong women and some men who are nurtured by them and feel nervous, with weak clinging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-fellowes/there-are-some-men-who-are-frightened-by-strong-women-and-some-men/) [Julian Fellowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) [Explore all 139 Julian Fellowes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-fellowes/) ## 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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Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. 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