Though the Negroes are fed, clothed, and housed, and though the Irish peasant is starved, naked, and roofless, the bare name of freemen-the lordship over his own person, the power to choose and will-are blessings beyond food, raiment, or shelter; possessing which, the want of every comfort of life is yet more tolerable than their fullest enjoyment without them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Freedom of will exceeds physical needs.
- In plain terms
- Being free is more important than food or shelter.
- What can you take from it?
- Autonomy is a higher need than survival.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is freedom possible without food?
- What is more valuable than life?
Another view
May undervalue urgent survival needs.
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