Creatures Quote by L. Neil Smith
“Those who sell their liberty for security are understandable, if pitiable, creatures. Those who sell the liberty of others for wealth, power, or even a moments respite deserve only the end of a rope.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Probability Broach by L. Neil Smith, 1979
Selling personal freedom for safety is understandable but tragic; exploiting others' freedom for gain is condemnable.
In simple terms: Choosing security over freedom is weak; exploiting others is evil.
Key Takeaway
Guard liberty, reject exploitation.
Themes
freedom
security
exploitation
ethics
power
Mood
cautious
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal decisions
- government policy
- corporate behavior
- activism
- education
Key Concepts
liberalism
political philosophy
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms are you willing to trade for safety?
- How can societies protect both security and liberty?
A Different Perspective
Even secure societies can erode rights if not vigilant.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
