I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Jefferson prefers the risks of excessive liberty over the dangers of too little freedom.
- In plain terms
- It is better to deal with the problems of too much freedom than the oppression of too little.
- What can you take from it?
- Liberty is worth its inconveniences because restriction is worse.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What freedoms matter most to you?
- Where is the line between order and liberty?
Another view
Excessive liberty without any structure can lead to chaos or harm others.
More from Thomas Jefferson
I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited …
Permalink to quote #24 Let what will be said or done, preserve your sang-froid immovably, and to every obstacle, oppose patience, perseverance, and soothing language.
Permalink to quote #26 We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.
Permalink to quote #23
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