--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: History has taught us over and over again…" description: "\"History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the br..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/tim-pawlenty-15469_armed-forces_history-has-taught-us-over-and-over-agai_436384.png" --- # History has taught us over and over again that freedom is… ![“History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces. Throughout our history, they've answered the call in bravery and sacrifice.” quote by Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/tim-pawlenty-15469_armed-forces_history-has-taught-us-over-and-over-agai_436384.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/tim-pawlenty-15469_armed-forces_history-has-taught-us-over-and-over-agai_436384.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ceb/tim-pawlenty-15469_armed-forces_history-has-taught-us-over-and-over-agai_436384.png) > “History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. When push comes to shove, the ultimate protectors of freedom and liberty are the brave men and women in our armed forces. Throughout our history, they've answered the call in bravery and sacrifice.” [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom requires sacrifice; those who defend it risk their lives for liberty. **In simple terms:** Freedom costs lives of defenders. Key Takeaway Respect and support the armed forces. Themes freedom service sacrifice patriotism Mood proud reflective Type political motivational When to use this quote - veteran support - public policy - education about military service Key Concepts civic duty military ethics national security Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance military and civilian roles in protecting freedom? - What responsibilities do citizens have toward service members? A Different Perspective The quote overlooks civilian contributions to liberty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Armed forces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) [Brave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave/) [Brave men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brave-men/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom and liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-and-liberty/) [Freedom Is Not Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-is-not-free/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women/) ## Related quotes > [I'm the only one to separate siamese twins.The only one to operate on babies while they were still in mother's womb, the only one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-m-the-only-one-to-separate-siamese-twins-the-only-one-to-operate-on/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [“Freedom is not free! The Almighty offers these gifts contingent upon our willingness to turn to Him as a nation. It is a covenant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ballard/freedom-is-not-free-the-almighty-offers-these-gifts-contingent-upon/) Timothy Ballard > [“Of course, freedom is not free. Taxpayers pay for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zarina-bibi/of-course-freedom-is-not-free-taxpayers-pay-for-it/) [Zarina Bibi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zarina-bibi/) > [We know from our own history that democratic institutions take decades to mature, and we know from past conflicts that freedom is not free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-demint/we-know-from-our-own-history-that-democratic-institutions-take/) [Jim DeMint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-demint/) > [“Freedom is not free. Free men are not equal. Equal men are not free. The Trial of Phillis Wheatley”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-cotten/freedom-is-not-free-free-men-are-not-equal-equal-men-are-not-free-the/) Richard Cotten > [Freedom is not free. It is bought at a high price. It can be squandered cheaply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-pournelle/freedom-is-not-free-it-is-bought-at-a-high-price-it-can-be-squandered/) [Jerry Pournelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-pournelle/) > [Freedom is not free. Free men are not equal. Equal men are not free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-pournelle/freedom-is-not-free-free-men-are-not-equal-equal-men-are-not-free/) [Jerry Pournelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-pournelle/) > [“Freedom is not free”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/freedom-is-not-free/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We should not forget, no matter how we quantify it: 'Freedom is not free.' It is a painful lesson, but one from which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gillmor/we-should-not-forget-no-matter-how-we-quantify-it-freedom-is-not-free/) [Paul Gillmor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gillmor/) > [Freedom is not free, and we all have a lot of work ahead of us. And I perform the ultimate soundtrack to get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/freedom-is-not-free-and-we-all-have-a-lot-of-work-ahead-of-us-and-i/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. -Ned Dolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/call-of-duty/freedom-is-not-free-but-the-u-s-marine-corps-will-pay-most-of-your/) Call Of Duty > [Freedom is not free, everyday soldiers give their lives so that we can live ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-mepham/freedom-is-not-free-everyday-soldiers-give-their-lives-so-that-we-can/) Nathaniel Mepham > [To hold Old Glory, a symbol of freedom and liberty to many around the world, not just in the United States, this one means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-alvarez/to-hold-old-glory-a-symbol-of-freedom-and-liberty-to-many-around-the/) [Eddy Alvarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-alvarez/) > [There is no kind of freedom and liberty other than the kind which the market economy brings about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/there-is-no-kind-of-freedom-and-liberty-other-than-the-kind-which-the/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [Freedom and liberty lose out by default because good people are not vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/freedom-and-liberty-lose-out-by-default-because-good-people-are-not/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## More by Tim Pawlenty > [We need to be calling out the flaws and misguided decisions of the Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/we-need-to-be-calling-out-the-flaws-and-misguided-decisions-of-the/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [I'm a market person, but there are certain circumstances where you've got to have government put up the guardrails or bust up entrenched interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/i-m-a-market-person-but-there-are-certain-circumstances-where-you-ve/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [I've come to realize that Barack Obama is the tattoo president. Like a big tattoo, it seemed cool when you were young. But later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/i-ve-come-to-realize-that-barack-obama-is-the-tattoo-president-like-a/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [The marketplace measurement in politics is something called an election. It's a pretty good barometer - it's transparent, it's numerical, it's objective. It gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/the-marketplace-measurement-in-politics-is-something-called-an/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/president-obama-said-that-he-designed-obamacare-after-romneycare-and/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [National polls basically always misinterpret the final outcome or mis-predict the final outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/national-polls-basically-always-misinterpret-the-final-outcome-or-mis/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [In my address last year, I spoke on the issue of gaming. My preference then is my preference now: to keep gaming within its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/in-my-address-last-year-i-spoke-on-the-issue-of-gaming-my-preference/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [We have a country that is $5 a gallon gas, $4 a gallon gas, we got unbearable unemployment and a federal government that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/we-have-a-country-that-is-5-a-gallon-gas-4-a-gallon-gas-we-got/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [I think the country's in trouble. And I think I have a pretty clear sense of the values and principles that have made this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/i-think-the-country-s-in-trouble-and-i-think-i-have-a-pretty-clear/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [A strong dollar reflects a strong country and a strong economy, and we need to make sure that we get the - stop the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/a-strong-dollar-reflects-a-strong-country-and-a-strong-economy-and-we/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [It appears that President Obama is making great progress on climate change, he is changing the political climate in the country back to Republican.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/it-appears-that-president-obama-is-making-great-progress-on-climate/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [We have the highest graduation rates, the broadest health care access, and the greatest level of home ownership and workforce participation in the country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/we-have-the-highest-graduation-rates-the-broadest-health-care-access/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [You can stick a fork in Barack Obama. Politically, he's done. The main way we can screw this up is if we choose the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/you-can-stick-a-fork-in-barack-obama-politically-he-s-done-the-main/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [The rising cost of prescription drugs has sparked a prairie fire that is spreading across our nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/the-rising-cost-of-prescription-drugs-has-sparked-a-prairie-fire-that/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [We should say to private employers, if you knowingly hire illegal immigrants, there's going to be a consequence. I underline the word 'knowingly.' And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/we-should-say-to-private-employers-if-you-knowingly-hire-illegal/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) [Explore all 43 Tim Pawlenty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) ## More Armed forces quotes > [The terrorist attacks of September 11th and the courageous actions of our armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us that friends of tyranny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-levin/the-terrorist-attacks-of-september-11th-and-the-courageous-actions-of/) [Carl Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-levin/) > [Recruitment and retention are critical to sustain our Armed Forces with the best men and women willing to stand in the gap and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/recruitment-and-retention-are-critical-to-sustain-our-armed-forces/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My father was in the military; he was a captain. His service was to quote-unquote integrate the Armed Forces overseas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/my-father-was-in-the-military-he-was-a-captain-his-service-was-to/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the Armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pace/i-believe-that-homosexual-acts-between-individuals-are-immoral-and/) [Peter Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pace/) > [“The highest ranking Russian intelligence officer to defect from Russia, Stanislav Lunev, testified at a Congressional hearing held in California in January, 2000. Before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/the-highest-ranking-russian-intelligence-officer-to-defect-from/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [A colonial war is a very dirty kind of war. You're not fighting armed forces. You're fighting mostly unarmed people. And to fight that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/a-colonial-war-is-a-very-dirty-kind-of-war-you-re-not-fighting-armed/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Scotland forms a crucial part of our Armed Forces which should not be jeopardised by rushed cuts or a rush to the exit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hammond/scotland-forms-a-crucial-part-of-our-armed-forces-which-should-not-be/) [Philip Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hammond/) > [The people of Iraq are grateful for what the people of the United States of America and our armed forces and our coalition forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-isakson/the-people-of-iraq-are-grateful-for-what-the-people-of-the-united/) [Johnny Isakson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-isakson/) > [I have deep respect for our armed forces and jawans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-kumaraswamy/i-have-deep-respect-for-our-armed-forces-and-jawans/) [H. D. Kumaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-kumaraswamy/) > [“The ultimate objective of all military operations is the destruction of the enemy’s armed forces and his will to fight.”\* This sums up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-wylie/the-ultimate-objective-of-all-military-operations-is-the-destruction/) [J.C. Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-wylie/) > [Relations between States, as between individuals, must be regulated not by armed force, but in accordance with...truth, justice and vigorous and sincere co-operation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/relations-between-states-as-between-individuals-must-be-regulated-not/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [Word to the Nation: Guard zealously your right to serve in the Armed Forces, for without them, there will be no other rights to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/word-to-the-nation-guard-zealously-your-right-to-serve-in-the-armed/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [If Congress grants permission, I would put armed forces in the streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jair-bolsonaro/if-congress-grants-permission-i-would-put-armed-forces-in-the-streets/) [Jair Bolsonaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jair-bolsonaro/) > [To lead uninstructed people to war is to throw them away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-lead-uninstructed-people-to-war-is-to-throw-them-away/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Americans will forever be proud of the brave men and women of our armed forces who served in World War II, and we will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/americans-will-forever-be-proud-of-the-brave-men-and-women-of-our/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) [Browse all 342 Armed forces quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-forces/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "History has taught us over and over again that freedom is not free. 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