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About this quote

What does it mean?
Liberty, derived from a higher source, must be defended at all costs, honoring the sacrifices of those who secured it.
In plain terms
Defend liberty, remembering the sacrifices that earned it.
What can you take from it?
Value and protect liberty as a hard‑won right.

Where it applies

  • national ceremonies
  • civic education

Putting it to work

  • teaching history
  • honoring veterans

Questions to consider

  • How do we balance liberty with security?
  • What responsibilities follow from earned liberty?

Another view

The notion of a divine source for liberty may not be universally accepted.

More from John Adams

  1. Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.

    Permalink to quote #90
  2. God is an essence we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is gotten rid of there will never be any liberal science in the world.

    Permalink to quote #92
  3. We are not exciting rebellion. Opposition, nay, open, avowed resistance by arms against usurpation and lawless violence, is not rebellion by the law of God or …

    Permalink to quote #89

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