--- 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/264/oliver-ellsworth-29122_doing-good_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_1551808.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 appropiate 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/264/oliver-ellsworth-29122_doing-good_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_1551808.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/264/oliver-ellsworth-29122_doing-good_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_1551808.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/264/oliver-ellsworth-29122_doing-good_liberty-is-a-word-which-according-as-it_1551808.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 appropiate 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 its good. It is not strange that the licentious should tell us a government of energy is inconsistent with liberty, for being inconsistent with their wishes and their vices, they would have us think it contrary to human happiness. . . . A government capable of controling the whole, and bringing its force to a point, is one of the prerequisites for national liberty. We combine in society, with an expectation to have our persons and properties defended against unreasonable exactions either at home or abroad. If the public are unable to protest against the unjust impositions of foreigners, in this case we do not enjoy our natural rights, and a weakness of government is the cause. If we mean to have our natural rights and properties protected, we must first create a power which is able to do it, and in our case there is no want of resources, but a civil constitution which may draw them out and point their force. . . . Some men are mightily afraid of giving power lest it should be improved for oppression; this is doubtless possible, but where is the probability. The same objection may be made against the constitution of every state in the union, and against every possible mode of government; because a power of doing good always implies a power to do evil if the person or party be disposed. The right of the legislature to ordain laws binding on the people, gives them a power to make bad laws. The right of the judge to inflict punishment, gives him both power and opportunity to oppress the innocent; yet none but crazy men will from thence determine that it is best to have neither a legislature nor judges. If a power to promote the best interest of the people, necessarily implies a power to do evil, we must never expect such a constitution in theory as will not be open in some respects to the objections of carping and jealous men. The new Constitution is perhaps more cautiously guarded than any other in the world, and at the same time creates a power which will be able to protect the subject; yet doubtless objections may be raised, and so they may against the constitution of each state in the union. . . . If, my countrymen, you wait for a constitution which absolutely bars a power of doing evil, you must wait long, and when obtained it will have no power of doing good. I allow you are oppressed, but not from the quarter that jealous and wrongheaded men would insinuate. You are oppressed by the men, who to serve their own purposes would prefer the shadow of government to the reality.”” [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. The author argues that a strong, centralized authority is essential to protect liberty, prevent chaos, and ensure justice, while acknowledging the risk of abuse. **In simple terms:** A strong government is needed to safeguard freedom. Key Takeaway Balance power with accountability. Themes government liberty power justice security constitution Mood analytical cautious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative drafting - public policy - civic education Key Concepts political theory social contract checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure government power is not abused? - How can citizens effectively hold leaders accountable? A Different Perspective Too much power can become oppressive; vigilance is required. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doing good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Human happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-happiness/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Natural rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-rights/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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-2/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [Irresponsible power is inconsistent with liberty, and must corrupt those who exercise it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-calhoun/irresponsible-power-is-inconsistent-with-liberty-and-must-corrupt/) [John C. Calhoun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-calhoun/) > [To subject every private family to the odious visits and examination of the tax-gatherers ... would be altogether inconsistent with liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/to-subject-every-private-family-to-the-odious-visits-and-examination/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [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 Constitution doesn’t give us rights: it restrains government from infringing on rights we acquire at birth by virtue of being human beings, “natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-hartmann/the-constitution-doesn-t-give-us-rights-it-restrains-government-from/) [Thom Hartmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-hartmann/) > [Among the natural rights of the colonists are these: first, a right to life; second, to liberty; third, to property; together with the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/among-the-natural-rights-of-the-colonists-are-these-first-a-right-to/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“The “pursuit of happiness” is such a key element of the “American (ideological) dream” that one tends to forget the contingent origin of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slavoj-i-ek/the-pursuit-of-happiness-is-such-a-key-element-of-the-american/) [Slavoj Žižek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slavoj-i-ek/) > [“Everybody is satisfied, that a conservation and secure enjoyment of our natural rights is the great and ultimate purpose of civil society; and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/everybody-is-satisfied-that-a-conservation-and-secure-enjoyment-of/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [The State, on the other hand, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-state-on-the-other-hand-both-in-its-genesis-and-by-its-primary/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [It's a difficult position. Do you endanger your child to fight for the right thing, or do you keep your mouth shut and let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-bell/it-s-a-difficult-position-do-you-endanger-your-child-to-fight-for-the/) [Jamie Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-bell/) > [“The natural rights which he retains are all those in which the Power to execute is as perfect in the individual as the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-natural-rights-which-he-retains-are-all-those-in-which-the-power/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [ We were born with natural rights. We don't need civil rights. \[African-Americans\] don't need civil rights. They don't need them. They have inalienable rights… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-woolery/we-were-born-with-natural-rights-we-don-t-need-civil-rights-african/) [Chuck Woolery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-woolery/) ## 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. 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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/) > [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/) > [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-2/) [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 Doing good quotes > [There's nothing like getting feedback that's positive and supportive. That's what I'm all about. I'm really just genuinely doing good music. I'm not looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-villarreal/there-s-nothing-like-getting-feedback-that-s-positive-and-supportive/) [Tiffany Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-villarreal/) > [As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/as-for-doing-good-that-is-one-of-the-professions-which-is-full/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When things are going bad that does not mean God has stopped doing good It's mean He is shifting things around you to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christianquotes/when-things-are-going-bad-that-does-not-mean-god-has-stopped-doing/) ChristianQuotes > [“doing good required taking risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/doing-good-required-taking-risks/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [NGOs have a complicated space in neoliberal politics. They are supposed to mop up the anger. Even when they are doing good work, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/ngos-have-a-complicated-space-in-neoliberal-politics-they-are/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [“Rich and famous and doing good," mused Schlichtmann. "Rich isn't so difficult. Famous isn't so difficult. Rich and famous together aren't so difficult. Rich,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-harr/rich-and-famous-and-doing-good-mused-schlichtmann-rich-isn-t-so/) Jonathan Harr > [There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/there-is-only-one-way-of-not-hating-those-who-do-us-wrong-and-that-is/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [“What is an artist? For every thousand people there's nine hundred doing the work, ninety doing well, nine doing good, and one lucky bastard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/what-is-an-artist-for-every-thousand-people-there-s-nine-hundred/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Being a good person is appreciable. But doing good things in life is what shows others who really you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-a-good-person-is-appreciable-but-doing-good-things-in-life-is/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbours, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irenaeus-of-lyons/as-long-as-any-one-has-the-means-of-doing-good-to-his-neighbours-and/) [Irenaeus of Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irenaeus-of-lyons/) > [My mum supported me after she saw I was doing good in weightlifting, I was able to get a scholarship, I was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidilyn-diaz/my-mum-supported-me-after-she-saw-i-was-doing-good-in-weightlifting-i/) [Hidilyn Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidilyn-diaz/) > [We've always tried to convey these strong messages of strength and power and doing good in the world and, at the same time, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-halford/we-ve-always-tried-to-convey-these-strong-messages-of-strength-and/) [Rob Halford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-halford/) > [The pulpit only "teaches" to be honest; the market-place "trains" to overreaching and fraud; and teaching has not a tithe of the efficiency of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/the-pulpit-only-teaches-to-be-honest-the-market-place-trains-to/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) > [We are not to preach the doing of good things; good deeds are not to be preached, they are to be performed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/we-are-not-to-preach-the-doing-of-good-things-good-deeds-are-not-to/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [Even if everyone elseIs not doing good,I alone will.Even if everyone elseis doing wrong,I alone will not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/even-if-everyone-elseis-not-doing-good-i-alone-will-even-if-everyone/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) [Browse all 783 Doing good quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-good/) ```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. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropiate 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 its good. It is not strange that the licentious should tell us a government of energy is inconsistent with liberty, for being inconsistent with their wishes and their vices, they would have us think it contrary to human happiness. . . . A government capable of controling the whole, and bringing its force to a point, is one of the prerequisites for national liberty. We combine in society, with an expectation to have our persons and properties defended against unreasonable exactions either at home or abroad. If the public are unable to protest against the unjust impositions of foreigners, in this case we do not enjoy our natural rights, and a weakness of government is the cause. If we mean to have our natural rights and properties protected, we must first create a power which is able to do it, and in our case there is no want of resources, but a civil constitution which may draw them out and point their force. . . . Some men are mightily afraid of giving power lest it should be improved for oppression; this is doubtless possible, but where is the probability. The same objection may be made against the constitution of every state in the union, and against every possible mode of government; because a power of doing good always implies a power to do evil if the person or party be disposed. The right of the legislature to ordain laws binding on the people, gives them a power to make bad laws. The right of the judge to inflict punishment, gives him both power and opportunity to oppress the innocent; yet none but crazy men will from thence determine that it is best to have neither a legislature nor judges. If a power to promote the best interest of the people, necessarily implies a power to do evil, we must never expect such a constitution in theory as will not be open in some respects to the objections of carping and jealous men. The new Constitution is perhaps more cautiously guarded than any other in the world, and at the same time creates a power which will be able to protect the subject; yet doubtless objections may be raised, and so they may against the constitution of each state in the union. . . . If, my countrymen, you wait for a constitution which absolutely bars a power of doing evil, you must wait long, and when obtained it will have no power of doing good. I allow you are oppressed, but not from the quarter that jealous and wrongheaded men would insinuate. 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