True greatness of soul will never give up liberty for any consideration
whatever; for what are riches, grandeur, titles, or any other worldly
good, if they are holden by so precarious a tenure as the arbitrary
will of a tyrant! A mere competency, with liberty, is preferable to
servitude amidst the greatest affluence; and even the lowest condition
in life, with freedom, is better than the most exalted station without
it. But liberty in a state of society does not consist in doing
whatsoever we please; but only permits those actions by which we do
no injustice to our neighbour, or to the community. The well-being of
society requires the efforts of all, from the highest to the lowest,
to preserve and support it; and since it appears to be the will of
Omnipotence, that mankind should live in this state of social union
(which does not admit of the unbridled freedom of the savage state) a
certain portion of individual liberty must be given up for the good of
the whole; but the sacrifice should be bounded by the common good: all
beyond approaches towards slavery, and degrades the people who submit
to it.
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