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About this quote

What does it mean?
You can understand freedom only by knowing slavery, as the concept of freedom reflects your own experience.
In plain terms
You understand freedom by knowing slavery because freedom echoes your own life.
What can you take from it?
Freedom is defined by its opposite, slavery.

Where it applies

  • political debate
  • rights discussion

Putting it to work

  • advocacy
  • writing

Questions to consider

  • What is freedom apart from slavery?
  • Does freedom require oppression?

Another view

The definition relies entirely on opposition rather than intrinsic value.

More from Percy Bysshe Shelley

  1. My father Time is weak and gray With waiting for a better day; See how idiot-like he stands, Fumbling with his palsied hands!

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  2. Thou art Justice - ne'er for gold May thy righteous laws be sold As laws are in England - thou Shield'st alike the high and low.

    Permalink to quote #105
  3. And with glorious triumph, they Rode through England proud and gay, Drunk as with intoxication Of the wine of desolation.

    Permalink to quote #102

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