...I venture on assuring you that I regard the design formed by you and your friends with sincere interest, and in particular wish well to all the efforts you may make on behalf of individual freedom and independence as opposed to what is termed Collectivism.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Gladstone supports individual freedom and independence, opposing collectivist movements.
- In plain terms
- He wishes well for efforts to protect personal freedom against collectivism.
- What can you take from it?
- Value individual independence over collectivism.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the right balance between individual and collective good?
- When does collectivism become harmful?
Another view
Collectivism can address systemic inequalities that individualism ignores.
More from William Ewart Gladstone
Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race.
Permalink to quote #29 The hopelessness of the Turkish Government should make me witness with delight its being swept out of the countries which it tortures. Next to the Ottoman Gove…
Permalink to quote #31 But let the working man be on his guard against another danger. We live at a time when there is a disposition to think that the Government ought to do this and…
Permalink to quote #28
Related quotes
GOVERNMENT has no rights; it is a delegation from several individuals for the purpose of securing their own. It is therefore just, only so far as it exists by …
Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley quote #9 The free man will ask neither what his country can do for him nor what he can do for his country.
Milton FriedmanMilton Friedman quote #26 It's not an endlessly expanding list of rights- the 'right' to education, the 'right' to health care, the 'right' to food and housing. That's not freedom, that…
Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville quote #64