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About this quote

What does it mean?
Sacrificing freedom for security ultimately results in losing both values.
In plain terms
Giving up freedom for safety makes you lose both.
What can you take from it?
Protect liberty to maintain both order and freedom.

Where it applies

  • political reform
  • policy debate
  • authoritarian shifts

Putting it to work

  • advocate for civil rights
  • resist emergency powers
  • evaluate security laws

Questions to consider

  • What freedoms are you willing to trade?
  • How do you define order?

Another view

Sometimes temporary sacrifices are necessary during genuine crises.

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the is…

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  2. Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.

    Permalink to quote #212
  3. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

    Permalink to quote #209

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