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Deserve Quote by Thomas Jefferson

“A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither.” quote by Thomas Jefferson
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“A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither.”

Thomas Jefferson

About This Quote

Source Speech: Letter to John Adams, 1787

Trading liberty for order erodes both freedoms and stability, leaving society without either.

In simple terms: Giving up freedom for control loses both.

Key Takeaway

Guard your freedoms.

Themes

freedom government society balance consequences

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

  • political debate
  • legislation
  • civil rights activism
  • public policy
  • community organizing

Key Concepts

liberty order trade‑off

Questions to Reflect On

  • How much liberty is too much?
  • When does order become tyranny?
A Different Perspective

Too much order can become oppression, too much liberty can lead to chaos.

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