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Bryan Quote by William Jennings Bryan

“The chief duty of governments, in so far as they are coercive, is to restrain those who would interfere with the inalienable rights of the individual, among which are the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to the pursuit of happiness and the right to worship God according to the…” quote by William Jennings Bryan
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“The chief duty of governments, in so far as they are coercive, is to restrain those who would interfere with the inalienable rights of the individual, among which are the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to the pursuit of happiness and the right to worship God according to the dictates of ones conscience.”

William Jennings Bryan

About This Quote

Source Speech: The 1908 Republican National Convention, William Jennings Bryan

Government's primary role is to protect individual inalienable rights, limiting coercion to prevent interference with life, liberty, happiness, and conscience.

In simple terms: Governments should protect personal freedoms.

Key Takeaway

Limit government power to safeguard rights.

Themes

rights government freedom law conscience

Mood

serious analytical

Type

political educational

When to use this quote

  • policy debate
  • civic education
  • legal advocacy
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

political theory civil liberties constitutional law

Questions to Reflect On

  • How should societies balance security with freedom?
  • What limits should be placed on government power?
A Different Perspective

Balancing security and liberty is challenging.

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