Circumstances Quote by Lee Kuan Yew
“I am ... a realist. The magnitude of what one terms license or civil liberties or personal freedom has got to be adjusted to the circumstances.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address, Lee Kuan Yew, 1990
Freedom must be balanced with context; liberties are not absolute but adapt to societal needs.
In simple terms: Freedom is limited by circumstances.
Assess context before demanding liberty.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- lawmaking
- public policy
- community organizing
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should personal freedom yield to public interest?
- How do societies decide limits on liberty?
Overemphasis on liberty can ignore collective safety.