Perhaps the enemies of liberty are such only because they judge it by its loud voice. If they knew its charms, the dignity that accompanies it, how much a free man feels like a king, the perpetual inner light that is produced by decorous self-awareness and realization, perhaps there would be no greater friends of freedom than those who are its worst enemies.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Enemies of liberty may fear its noise but would cherish its benefits if they truly understood freedom.
- In plain terms
- People hate freedom because they only hear the noise, not the peace and power it brings.
- What can you take from it?
- True freedom brings inner strength and should be valued over order.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you fear about freedom?
- How does freedom feel internally?
Another view
Some people may legitimately fear chaos more than they value abstract liberty.
More from Jose Marti
Man loves liberty, even if he does not know that he loves it. He is driven by it and flees from where it does not exist.
Permalink to quote #63 Freedoms, like privileges, prevail or are imperiled together You cannot harm or strive to achieve one without harming or furthering all.
Permalink to quote #65 Liberty the essence of life. Whatever is done without it is imperfect.
Permalink to quote #62
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