Civil liberty is the status of the man who is guaranteed by law and civil institutions the exclusive employment of all his own powers for his own welfare.
William Graham Sumner
Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.
Ronald Reagan
The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle. We believe that liberty is the design of nature; we believe that liberty is the direction of history. We believe that human fulfillment and excellence come in the responsible exercise of liberty. And we believe that freedom the freedom we prize is not for us alone, it is the right and the capacity of all mankind.
George Walker Bush
This is, above all, the age of liberty.
George Walker Bush
I sought not in her visage, for the tinge of the morning, and the lustre of heaven. These had vanished with life; but I hoped for liberty to print a last kiss upon her lips. This was denied me; for such had been the merciless blow that destroyed her, that not a lineament remained!
Charles Brockden Brown
He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself
Thomas Paine
Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety
Ben Franklin
Even on the white English crags A few strong spirits, in a race that binds Its body in chains and calls them Liberty, And calls each fresh link Progress, stood erect With faces pale that hunger'd to the light.
Robert Williams Buchanan
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death
Patrick Henry
The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection
John Stuart Mill
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground
Thomas Jefferson
That so much time was wasted in this pain. Ten thousand years ago he might have let off down To not return again! A dreadful laugh at last escapes his lips; The laughter sets him free. A Fool lives in the Universe! he cries. The Fool is me! And with one final shake of laughter Breaks his bonds. The nails fall skittering to marble floors. And Christ, knelt at the rail, sees miracle As Man steps down in amiable wisdom To give himself what no one else can give: His liberty.
Ray Douglas Bradbury
Though I bequeath you no estate, I leave you in the enjoyment of liberty.
William Bradford
The forests have taught man liberty.
Paul Charles Joseph Bourget