"A lie told often enough becomes the truth" (Lenin) If those in bondage, suffering from despotism, or are enduring tyranny are told often enough they are free they begin to believe it. The order created by bondage includes compelled compliance, victimless crimes, license, involuntary servitude through mandated theft of the labor's fruits, mandatory IDs and is in all ways contrary to the God of Nature's law(s) and is not freedom. -- Mike, Norwalk
II do not believe Cicero is referring to the bondage you are talking about - it's more to do with self-discipline; without self-discipline there is no freedom. I believe Cicero is referring to this ancient verse when he talks of bondage. We the people create the laws by allowing those in power to be in power. If we disagree there is a democratic system in place to voice your concerns; if there is not a democratic system in place then the people must rise up and take charge of their destiny. -- Robert, Sarasota
Whenever the words "bondage" and "free" appear in the same sentence,the comments are bound to be interesting.I see what Cicero was trying to say but some things that have been passed as "law",do not promote freedom so,in my opinion,this is a false statement. -- Me Again
The quote can be used by the rulers or the subjects. Mike and Robert both have points. -- E Archer, NYC
Simply the recipe for order as opposed to chaos. We live by laws so we can enjoy our freedom -- Jack, Green, OH
Archer, your right. Cicero probably didn't mean it in the reference I responded to but, as translated into our society, I thought my stated interpretation was the most appropriate. -- Mike, Norwalk
If by freedom you mean freedom from all restraint then you espouse law-lessness. Freedom from law is not liberty but anarchy. Nor is it approved by "the God of Nature's law," Who is Himself the Great Lawgiver. What Cicero intended was along the lines of saying we are a nation of laws. Not to say we are bound by myriad regulation (though we may be) nor yet that we should be self-disciplined (though truly we ought to be) but that our liberty is guaranteed by a just system of laws that apply equally to all. All are bound to obey, regardless of race, birth, or title. Cicero was protesting the ascension to power of the triumvirate, Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey. Cicero sought power of his own, but had been hampered by a pedestrian pedigree. This may have been somewhat of a "sour grapes" quote from one left out of the center of power. -- John Anderson, Tacoma
Actually Cicero has a different view on liberty: for the Romans lberty was not being dominated: put simplisticly be a free man rather then a slave. They thought that being under the rule of law would prevent domination and thus serfdom and make one free -- Anonymous
"Me Again" said, "some things that have been passed as "law",do not promote freedom so,in my opinion,this is a false statement."
Yet Cicero's statement was not that ALL law is conducive to freedom, but rather that without SOME law there is no freedom. Indeed, in my opinion, that is the fundamental purpose of law, that is, to ensure the greatest possible freedom for the individual. Cicero is merely pointing out that the kind of "freedom" without law is not freedom at all, but anarchy. As a classical liberal, this may be one of my favourite quotes by an ancient author. -- Anonymous
-- Mike, Norwalk
-- Robert, Sarasota
