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About this quote

What does it mean?
Giving up essential freedom for temporary safety results in losing both.
In plain terms
Sacrificing liberty for safety loses both.
What can you take from it?
Protect core freedoms even when safety seems limited.

Where it applies

  • government policy
  • personal privacy

Putting it to work

  • advocate for civil liberties
  • evaluate security measures critically

Questions to consider

  • When is it justified to limit liberty?
  • How do we balance safety and freedom?

Another view

Some temporary safety measures may be necessary in emergencies.

More from Benjamin Franklin

  1. The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and stre…

    Permalink to quote #5
  2. Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

    Permalink to quote #7
  3. Remember that time is money.

    Permalink to quote #4

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