Constitution Quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero
“Though liberty is established by law, we must be vigilant, for liberty to enslave us is always present under that very liberty. Our Constitution speaks of the "general welfare of the people." Under that phrase all sorts of excesses can be employed by lusting tyrants to make us bondsmen.”
About This Quote
Liberty, while protected by law, can paradoxically become a tool for oppression if citizens remain complacent, allowing tyrants to exploit the notion of 'general welfare' for personal gain.
In simple terms: Freedom can turn into oppression without vigilance.
Key Takeaway
Guard liberty against its own misuse.
Themes
political philosophy
civil liberty
government power
civic responsibility
tyranny
public welfare
Mood
cautious
reflective
urgent
Type
political
philosophical
warning
When to use this quote
- legislative debates
- public policy formation
- civil rights movements
- government surveillance oversight
- constitutional education
Key Concepts
law
citizenship
authority
rights
Practical Applications
- civic education programs
- policy analysis frameworks
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance liberty with security?
- What mechanisms ensure 'general welfare' isn’t misused?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that strong institutions, not citizen vigilance, primarily prevent liberty's erosion.
![“And may I not be allowed to ... read in the character of the American people, in their devotion to true liberty and to the Constitution which is its palladium [protection], ... a Government which watches over ... the equal interdict [prohibition] against encroachments and compacts between religion…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a9/james-madison-373_american-people_and-may-i-not-be-allowed-to-read-in-the_833132.jpg)
![“When a judge goes beyond [his proper function] and reads entirely new values into the Constitution, values the framers and ratifiers did not put there, he deprives the people of their liberty. That liberty, which the Constitution clearly envisions, is the liberty of the people to set their own…” quote by Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/077/robert-bork-16437_agendas_when-a-judge-goes-beyond-his-proper-func_625664.jpg)
![“Things sacred should not only be touched with the hands, but unviolated in thought. [Lat., Res sacros non modo manibus attingi, sed ne cogitatione quidem violari fas fuit.]” quote by Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/deb/marcus-tullius-cicero-157_hands_things-sacred-should-not-only-be-touched_11960.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
