---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Since man always remains free and since…"
description: "\"“Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be definitively established in this world. Anyon..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg"
---

#  Since man always remains free and since his freedom is…

![“Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be definitively established in this world. Anyone who promises the better world that is guaranteed to last forever is making a false promise; he is overlooking human freedom. Freedom must be…” quote by Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg)

> ““Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be definitively established in this world. Anyone who promises the better world that is guaranteed to last forever is making a false promise; he is overlooking human freedom. Freedom must be constantly won over for the cause of good. Free assent to the good never exists simply by itself. If there were structures which could irrevocably guarantee a determined and good state of the world, man's freedom would be denied, and hence they would not be good structures at all.””

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Freedom is essential yet fragile; lasting good cannot be imposed by immutable structures, only continuously earned through human liberty.

**In simple terms:** Freedom is fragile; good must be constantly achieved, not forced.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate freedom to sustain goodness.

Themes

freedom goodness human agency political philosophy

Mood

reflective hopeful

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

- government policy
- social movements
- ethical decision making

Key Concepts

liberalism ethical governance

Questions to Reflect On

- What freedoms are essential for a good society?
- How can we protect fragile freedoms?

A Different Perspective

Absolute guarantees can undermine freedom and lead to oppression.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-world/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Free will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-will/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Good and evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-and-evil/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Human freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-freedom/)

## Related quotes

> ["Freedom" is probably the word he said more than any other. He used the word freedom constantly. I think for some his frequent calls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/freedom-is-probably-the-word-he-said-more-than-any-other-he-used-the/)

[Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/)

> [“T. S. Eliot’s words ring true: “They constantly try to escape / From the darkness outside and within / By dreaming of systems so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-carron/t-s-eliot-s-words-ring-true-they-constantly-try-to-escape-from-the/)

Julian Carron

> [Our Founders were not naive simpletons. They understood that human freedom is a fragile thing, that 'eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/our-founders-were-not-naive-simpletons-they-understood-that-human/)

[Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/)

> [The goal of human freedom is not in freedom itself, nor it is in man, but in God. By giving man freedom, God has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theophan-the-recluse/the-goal-of-human-freedom-is-not-in-freedom-itself-nor-it-is-in-man/)

[Theophan the Recluse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theophan-the-recluse/)

> [I get so angry when opponents of freedom go out there and they talk a big game about freedom - and then they're constantly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/i-get-so-angry-when-opponents-of-freedom-go-out-there-and-they-talk-a/)

[Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/)

> [Numerous emigrants, of every lineage and language, attracted by the civil and religious freedom we enjoy and by our happy condition, annually crowd to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-polk-2/numerous-emigrants-of-every-lineage-and-language-attracted-by-the/)

[James K Polk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-polk-2/)

> [“Chains used to claim that there’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated,” said Locke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/chains-used-to-claim-that-there-s-no-freedom-quite-like-the-freedom/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [There’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/there-s-no-freedom-quite-like-the-freedom-of-being-constantly/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/freedom-is-a-fragile-thing-and-is-never-more-than-one-generation-away/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [Our natural, inalienable rights are now considered to be a dispensation from government, and freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/our-natural-inalienable-rights-are-now-considered-to-be-a/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [“As President Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation from extinction. It is not ours by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-winters/as-president-reagan-once-said-freedom-is-a-fragile-thing-and-is-never/)

Larry Winters

> [“Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-miracle-too-long-to-be/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [Freedom is fragile and must be protected. To sacrifice it, even as a temporary measure, is to betray it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/freedom-is-fragile-and-must-be-protected-to-sacrifice-it-even-as-a/)

[Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/)

> [Freedom is like holding a small bird. If you squeeze it too hard, you will kill it. But if you don't hold it firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kotlowitz/freedom-is-like-holding-a-small-bird-if-you-squeeze-it-too-hard-you/)

[Alex Kotlowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kotlowitz/)

> [It is a rare man who can prevail in the face of comfort. Freedom is fragile and elusive, for rarely does the appreciation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-rossio/it-is-a-rare-man-who-can-prevail-in-the-face-of-comfort-freedom-is/)

[Terry Rossio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-rossio/)

## More by Pope Benedict XVI

> [The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-fact-that-the-lord-can-work-and-act-even-with-insufficient-means/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [The essence of Christianity...is an ever-new encounter with... the God who speaks to us, who approaches us and who befriends us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/the-essence-of-christianity-is-an-ever-new-encounter-with-the-god-who/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/if-you-abide-in-the-love-of-christ-rooted-in-the-faith-you-will/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Continue to witness to the Gospel every day and commit yourselves generously in the next missionary initiatives in the Diocese of Rome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/continue-to-witness-to-the-gospel-every-day-and-commit-yourselves/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Jesus’ example of fidelity to prayer challenges us to examine the time and effort we devote to our own prayer. While prayer is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-example-of-fidelity-to-prayer-challenges-us-to-examine-the-time/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [If we look to the saints, this great luminous wake with which God has passed through history, we truly see that here is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/if-we-look-to-the-saints-this-great-luminous-wake-with-which-god-has/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [“Joseph Ratzinger never developed his own theological system. As a theologian he took on what was there, discerned its essentials, situated it in relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joseph-ratzinger-never-developed-his-own-theological-system-as-a/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality “of closed eyes”, but one of “alertness”, one which entails an absolute duty to take notice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-christ-does-not-teach-us-a-spirituality-of-closed-eyes-but-one/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Joy is the true gift of Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joy-is-the-true-gift-of-christmas/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Material possessions, in themselves, are good. We would not survive for long without money, clothing and shelter. We must eat in order to stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/material-possessions-in-themselves-are-good-we-would-not-survive-for/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [One of the promising indications of a renewal in the Church's missionary consciousness in recent decades, has been the growing desire of many lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/one-of-the-promising-indications-of-a-renewal-in-the-church-s/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [God loves us despite our shortcomings and sins, and his love gives meaning to our lives and to the life of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/god-loves-us-despite-our-shortcomings-and-sins-and-his-love-gives/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [It's a great responsibility before God, the judge who guides us, who draws us to truth and good, and in this sense the church…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/it-s-a-great-responsibility-before-god-the-judge-who-guides-us-who/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Discovering the beauty and joy of faith is a path that every new generation must take on its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/discovering-the-beauty-and-joy-of-faith-is-a-path-that-every-new/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness is not principally due to programmes and pastoral methods that are cleverly drawn up and "efficient", but is the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/apostolic-and-missionary-fruitfulness-is-not-principally-due-to/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

[Explore all 575 Pope Benedict XVI quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

## More Better world quotes

> [Something must be done to save humanity! A better world is possible!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fidel-castro/something-must-be-done-to-save-humanity-a-better-world-is-possible/)

[Fidel Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fidel-castro/)

> [One Hundred Year Starship really is about the idea that is we pursue an extraordinary tomorrow; we'll build a better world today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/one-hundred-year-starship-really-is-about-the-idea-that-is-we-pursue/)

[Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/)

> [The advance of liberty is the path to both a safer and better world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-advance-of-liberty-is-the-path-to-both-a-safer-and-better-world/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [... man has an idea of a better world than this. But better does not mean different, it means unified... Religion or crime, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/man-has-an-idea-of-a-better-world-than-this-but-better-does-not-mean/)

[Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/)

> [“Joseph Ratzinger never developed his own theological system. As a theologian he took on what was there, discerned its essentials, situated it in relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joseph-ratzinger-never-developed-his-own-theological-system-as-a/)

[Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/)

> [How can I create a better world? The more you reflect, the more your life will move into the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/how-can-i-create-a-better-world-the-more-you-reflect-the-more-your/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [This would be a vastly better world to live in if Matt Drudge decided to handle his emotional problems more responsibly, and set himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weigel/this-would-be-a-vastly-better-world-to-live-in-if-matt-drudge-decided/)

[David Weigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weigel/)

> [“Up there, comrades," he would say solemnly, pointing to the sky with his large beak– "up there, just on the other side of that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/up-there-comrades-he-would-say-solemnly-pointing-to-the-sky-with-his/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [“When I heard Zizek’s statement, I have to admit that I reacted strongly against it. For the first twenty-five years of my adult life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaddhaka-linn/when-i-heard-zizek-s-statement-i-have-to-admit-that-i-reacted/)

[Vaddhaka Linn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaddhaka-linn/)

> [A better world could be brought about only by better individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-coubertin/a-better-world-could-be-brought-about-only-by-better-individuals/)

[Pierre de Coubertin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-coubertin/)

> [The arts can open the door to the imagination, pushing the envelope of how peace can be created. It takes courage to take this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-shorter/the-arts-can-open-the-door-to-the-imagination-pushing-the-envelope-of/)

[Wayne Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-shorter/)

> [Socialcam shares Autodesk's mission of helping everybody imagine, design, and create a better world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-seibel/socialcam-shares-autodesk-s-mission-of-helping-everybody-imagine/)

[Michael Seibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-seibel/)

> [“We don't have a lot of choice about the world we live in. But we do have choices about our world-view. ... We read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-wade-johnson/we-don-t-have-a-lot-of-choice-about-the-world-we-live-in-but-we-do/)

[Kevin Wade Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-wade-johnson/)

> [I believe there is another world waiting for us. A better world. And I'll be waiting for you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/i-believe-there-is-another-world-waiting-for-us-a-better-world-and-i/)

[David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/)

> [Can we make a better world for our children? I believe we can, if enough people are concerned and get involved in changing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/can-we-make-a-better-world-for-our-children-i-believe-we-can-if/)

[Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/)

[Browse all 606 Better world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-world/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be definitively established in this world. Anyone who promises the better world that is guaranteed to last forever is making a false promise; he is overlooking human freedom. Freedom must be constantly won over for the cause of good. Free assent to the good never exists simply by itself. If there were structures which could irrevocably guarantee a determined and good state of the world, man's freedom would be denied, and hence they would not be good structures at all.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pope Benedict XVI"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/since-man-always-remains-free-and-since-his-freedom-is-always-fragile/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Better world"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/since-man-always-remains-free-and-since-his-freedom-is-always-fragile/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/pope-benedict-xvi-414_better-world_since-man-always-remains-free-and-since_578970.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be…” — Pope Benedict XVI",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pope Benedict XVI",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Since man always remains free and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/since-man-always-remains-free-and-since-his-freedom-is-always-fragile/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/since-man-always-remains-free-and-since-his-freedom-is-always-fragile/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
