--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a boy, the priest, my uncle…" description: "\"When I was a boy, the priest, my uncle, carefully inculcated upon me this proverb, which I then learned and have ever since kept in my mind: 'Dico tibi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/william-wallace-17536_best_when-i-was-a-boy-the-priest-my-uncle-car_2151775.jpg" --- # When I was a boy, the priest, my uncle, carefully… ![“When I was a boy, the priest, my uncle, carefully inculcated upon me this proverb, which I then learned and have ever since kept in my mind: 'Dico tibi verum, Libertas optima rerum; Nunquam servili, sub nexu vivito, fili.' 'I tell you a truth: Liberty is the best of things, my son; never live…” quote by William Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/william-wallace-17536_best_when-i-was-a-boy-the-priest-my-uncle-car_2151775.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/william-wallace-17536_best_when-i-was-a-boy-the-priest-my-uncle-car_2151775.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/562/william-wallace-17536_best_when-i-was-a-boy-the-priest-my-uncle-car_2151775.jpg) > “When I was a boy, the priest, my uncle, carefully inculcated upon me this proverb, which I then learned and have ever since kept in my mind: 'Dico tibi verum, Libertas optima rerum; Nunquam servili, sub nexu vivito, fili.' 'I tell you a truth: Liberty is the best of things, my son; never live under any slavish bond.'” [William Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A proverb teaches that true liberty is supreme and one should never live under oppression. **In simple terms:** Liberty is supreme; avoid oppression. Key Takeaway Pursue freedom. Themes freedom morality wisdom heritage caution Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal decisions - social movements - education - political activism Key Concepts political philosophy ethical guidance Questions to Reflect On - What does liberty mean to you? - How can you resist subtle oppression? A Different Perspective Historical accuracy of the quote is uncertain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bond/) [Inculcated Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inculcated-proverb-4527895/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb/) [Proverb Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb-learned-4527896/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-liberty-811250/) ## Related quotes > [The priceless heritage of the free and independent interchange of thought is not to be kept without ceaseless vigilance. 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