Bertrand Russell Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure."

by:	Bertrand Russell [Bertrand Arthur William Russell] (1872-1970) Philosopher, educator
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Categories:	Freedom, Government, Liberty, Security
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Reader comments about this quote:

Man is this an understatement. Great quote. -- Anon 1
-- A.WOODS, Gloucester
Our freedom is secure when the government fears the people. I think freedom of opinion can only exist when the People think themselves secure. When it becomes a crime to expose a long held sacred belief as a fraud, that is when a government thinks itself secure. All opinions are fair game for criticism and skepticism. -- E Archer, NYC 1
Nobody can prevent opinion. It is the expression of those opinions a less secure government might try to restrict. -- Jack, Green, OH 1
Precisely, and that will never happen. -- RBESRQ
A government that thinks itself secure is a danger to freedom of opinion and every other freedom. A secure government has no fear of consequences for its actions. The most "secure" government I can recall was Communist China's under Mao during the cultural revolution. -- Ken, Allyn, WA 1
Exactly, and the reason there is such a degree of free speech in the good ole USA is that the government (that is us) are totally secure. We have a 230 year old democracy and ain't no MF going to upset the rule of, by and for the people, because the government (that is us) is ruled by free speech. How absolutely glorious is our secure national fabric. -- Waffler, Smith 1
The foundational premise as it addresses corporeal man, “government thinks itself secure” is an oxymoronic nonstarter - no government has ever, or will ever (past, present and future) think itself secure under any condition or circumstance. One example is the U.S.’s Constitution - the intent was to limit the government to ONLY that which was specifically enumerated within the four corners of the document. Since then, the occupying statist theocracy that now infests this land continues to pass theological canons (as is averse to nature’s law = rules of order), secures and grows itself through usurpation (created censorship, changes word meanings, reduced habeas corpus, implemented religious seminaries (public schools), enforced black robed high priests (judges) ecclesiastical decisions and domain, theft of the noble labor’s fruit, etc., etc., etc.) -- Mike, Norwalk
I believe the mythical, "but effective" Captain Kirk captures the mood and strategy more profoundly in that "risk is our business." -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
Additionally, we in the United States, Mr Russel an Englishman I believe, should consider eliminating the influences of the more popular "three branches" of governing, namely Hollywood, Sports, and Political Intrigue. The quasi governing of executive, legislative, and judicial branches should be replaced by a renewed interest and emphasis in We The People. -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 1

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