--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Liberty is a word which, according as it…" description: "\"Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/oliver-ellsworth-29122_adoration_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_2510662.jpg" --- # Liberty is a word which, according as it is used… ![“Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropriate in divine adoration; but in the mouths of some it means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a…” quote by Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/oliver-ellsworth-29122_adoration_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_2510662.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/oliver-ellsworth-29122_adoration_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_2510662.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f06/oliver-ellsworth-29122_adoration_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_2510662.jpg) > “Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropriate in divine adoration; but in the mouths of some it means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a jealousy of the rulers who are our own choice, and keep society in confusion for want of a power sufficiently concentered to promote good.” [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Liberty is a complex concept, capable of both good and evil, depending on its interpretation and use. **In simple terms:** Liberty can be good or bad. Key Takeaway Balance freedom with responsibility. Themes freedom responsibility government society Mood analytical serious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - lawmaking - civil rights - public policy Key Concepts political philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How should liberty be limited? - What safeguards protect society? A Different Perspective Unchecked liberty can cause chaos. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adoration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adoration/) [Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appropriate/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confusion/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-word-970554/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/means/) [Mouths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mouths/) [Next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next/) [Rulers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rulers/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [Understood Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-sacred-1152653/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it-is-used-comprehends-the-most-3/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [“Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it-is-used-comprehends-the-most/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [Liberty a word without which all other words are vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/liberty-a-word-without-which-all-other-words-are-vain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Not one word was said by Moses or Aaron as to the wickedness of depriving a human being of his liberty. Not a word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/not-one-word-was-said-by-moses-or-aaron-as-to-the-wickedness-of/) [Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/) > [The most ridiculous concept ever perpetrated by Homo Sapiens is that the Lord God of Creation, Shaper and Ruler of the Universes, wants the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/the-most-ridiculous-concept-ever-perpetrated-by-homo-sapiens-is-that/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Phony gurus make themselves objects of adoration and worship. Real spiritual teachers aren't interested in adoration and worship. They like respect only because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/phony-gurus-make-themselves-objects-of-adoration-and-worship-real/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [My aim is to institute perpetual adoration," spoke St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Franciscan priest and founder of the Knights of the Immaculata. For he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilian-kolbe/my-aim-is-to-institute-perpetual-adoration-spoke-st-maximilian-maria/) [Maximilian Kolbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilian-kolbe/) > [If we allow our self-congratulatory adoration of technology to distract us from our own contact with each other, then somehow the original agenda has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/if-we-allow-our-self-congratulatory-adoration-of-technology-to/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [There and then, sitting beside her and within the strength of my adoration, I felt invincible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hisham-matar/there-and-then-sitting-beside-her-and-within-the-strength-of-my/) [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) > [I just want the money and the fame and the adoration, and I don't want any of the other stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-broderick/i-just-want-the-money-and-the-fame-and-the-adoration-and-i-don-t-want/) [Matthew Broderick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-broderick/) > [“Adoration can be misleading. The same crowd who spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, was the same crowd who crucified Him three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-h-fowler/adoration-can-be-misleading-the-same-crowd-who-spread-palm-branches/) [H.H. Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-h-fowler/) > [You are still despised and mocked, A man too weak and infirm to be God, A God too much man to call forth adoration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil/you-are-still-despised-and-mocked-a-man-too-weak-and-infirm-to-be-god/) [Khalil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil/) > [Being is good, but getting rich is better… If the gods had only the riches of men's adoration, they would be as poor as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/being-is-good-but-getting-rich-is-better-if-the-gods-had-only-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Come to Him fresh today, with no agenda but to let Him hold you. Just sit in adoration of Him, casting all of yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-gimour/come-to-him-fresh-today-with-no-agenda-but-to-let-him-hold-you-just/) [Eric Gimour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-gimour/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) ## More by Oliver Ellsworth > [A people cannot long retain their freedom, whose government is incapable of protecting them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/a-people-cannot-long-retain-their-freedom-whose-government-is/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [A government capable of controlling the whole, and bringing its force to a point, is one of the prerequisites for national liberty. We combine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/a-government-capable-of-controlling-the-whole-and-bringing-its-force/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The Thirteen States are Thirteen Sovereign bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-thirteen-states-are-thirteen-sovereign-bodies/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The powers of congress must be defined, but their means must be adequate to the purposes of their constitution. It is possible there may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-powers-of-congress-must-be-defined-but-their-means-must-be/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [Systems of religious error have been adopted in times of ignorance. It has been the interest of tyrannical kings, popes, and prelates to maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/systems-of-religious-error-have-been-adopted-in-times-of-ignorance-it/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The charge of being ambiguous and indefinite may be brought against every human composition, and necessarily arises from the imperfection of language. Perhaps no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-charge-of-being-ambiguous-and-indefinite-may-be-brought-against/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The power of collecting money from the people is not to be rejected because it has sometimes been oppressive. Public credit is as necessary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-power-of-collecting-money-from-the-people-is-not-to-be-rejected/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The right of the judge to inflict punishment gives him both power and opportunity to oppress the innocent; yet none but crazy men will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-right-of-the-judge-to-inflict-punishment-gives-him-both-power-and/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [“Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it-is-used-comprehends-the-most/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [Some persons never attain to the happy art of perspicuous expression, and it is equally true that some persons, thro' a mental defect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/some-persons-never-attain-to-the-happy-art-of-perspicuous-expression/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [The sole purpose and effect of it is to exclude persecution and to secure the important right of religious liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-sole-purpose-and-effect-of-it-is-to-exclude-persecution-and-to/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [A desire of gain is common to mankind, and the general motive to business and industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/a-desire-of-gain-is-common-to-mankind-and-the-general-motive-to/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [All good men wish the entire abolition of slavery, as soon as it can take place with safety to the public, and for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/all-good-men-wish-the-entire-abolition-of-slavery-as-soon-as-it-can/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [Legislatures have no right to set up an inquisition and examine into the private opinions of men. Test-laws are useless and ineffectual, unjust and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/legislatures-have-no-right-to-set-up-an-inquisition-and-examine-into/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [It may be assumed as a fixed truth that the prosperity and riches of the farmer must depend on the prosperity and good national…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/it-may-be-assumed-as-a-fixed-truth-that-the-prosperity-and-riches-of/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) [Explore all 18 Oliver Ellsworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) ## More Adoration quotes > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Come to Him fresh today, with no agenda but to let Him hold you. Just sit in adoration of Him, casting all of yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-gimour/come-to-him-fresh-today-with-no-agenda-but-to-let-him-hold-you-just/) [Eric Gimour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-gimour/) > [Being is good, but getting rich is better… If the gods had only the riches of men's adoration, they would be as poor as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/being-is-good-but-getting-rich-is-better-if-the-gods-had-only-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [You are still despised and mocked, A man too weak and infirm to be God, A God too much man to call forth adoration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil/you-are-still-despised-and-mocked-a-man-too-weak-and-infirm-to-be-god/) [Khalil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil/) > [“Adoration can be misleading. The same crowd who spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, was the same crowd who crucified Him three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-h-fowler/adoration-can-be-misleading-the-same-crowd-who-spread-palm-branches/) [H.H. Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-h-fowler/) > [I just want the money and the fame and the adoration, and I don't want any of the other stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-broderick/i-just-want-the-money-and-the-fame-and-the-adoration-and-i-don-t-want/) [Matthew Broderick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-broderick/) > [There and then, sitting beside her and within the strength of my adoration, I felt invincible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hisham-matar/there-and-then-sitting-beside-her-and-within-the-strength-of-my/) [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) > [If we allow our self-congratulatory adoration of technology to distract us from our own contact with each other, then somehow the original agenda has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaron-lanier/if-we-allow-our-self-congratulatory-adoration-of-technology-to/) [Jaron Lanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaron-lanier/) > [My aim is to institute perpetual adoration," spoke St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Franciscan priest and founder of the Knights of the Immaculata. For he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilian-kolbe/my-aim-is-to-institute-perpetual-adoration-spoke-st-maximilian-maria/) [Maximilian Kolbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilian-kolbe/) > [Phony gurus make themselves objects of adoration and worship. Real spiritual teachers aren't interested in adoration and worship. They like respect only because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/phony-gurus-make-themselves-objects-of-adoration-and-worship-real/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Christ sits in the body at the right hand of God the Father, but we do not hold that the right hand of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-damascus/christ-sits-in-the-body-at-the-right-hand-of-god-the-father-but-we-do/) [John of Damascus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-damascus/) > [Blind adoration, in the age of action, is perfectly valueless, is often embarrassing and, equally, often painful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/blind-adoration-in-the-age-of-action-is-perfectly-valueless-is-often/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I do not think I should care to go on worshipping a Madonna even if she did wink. One cannot make much out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-do-not-think-i-should-care-to-go-on-worshipping-a-madonna-even-if/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“Let's just give her a ride into town," Suzanne said. She spoke briskly, like I was a mess that needed to be cleaned up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-cline/let-s-just-give-her-a-ride-into-town-suzanne-said-she-spoke-briskly/) [Emma Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-cline/) > [I adore the way he looks at me sometimes, as if love is a quantity he cannot measure scientifically, because it multiplies too quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-adore-the-way-he-looks-at-me-sometimes-as-if-love-is-a-quantity-he/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) [Browse all 340 Adoration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adoration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. 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