"...So long as the people
do not care to exercise their freedom,
those who wish to tyrannize will do so;
for tyrants are active and ardent,
and will devote themselves in the name
of any number of gods, religious and otherwise,
to put shackles upon sleeping men."
by:
Voltaire
[François Marie Arouet] (1694-1778) French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher
Source:
Philosophical Dictionary, 1764
Rating:
Categories:
 
Bookmark and Share  
Reader comments about this quote:
Today they don't wait for you to fall asleep.
 -- David L. Rosenthal, Hollywood     
  • 2
  •  
    This is why evil regns so easily in America and beyond because english colonial janapse twits like GW Bush Jr. think Ideas cast system and Ft. Meade represent freedom when they are nothing but thugs crushing the souls of the free with every option they get. The Patriot Act, indeed, if it is English Empire Patriotism. -- GZLFB, Down with N.A.G.
     -- G■l■k Zolt■n Leenderdt Franco Buday, Vancouver, GVRD(Paine Cnty), Coastal Lwr Mainland BC(State of Neo Sumer), U.S. of Eh!     
  • 1
  •  
     -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      
    There's nothing like an allegiance to a deity to announce your submission and willingness to submit. Gimme summa dat whip honey!
     -- Anonymous     
  • 1
  •  
    Human nature isn't naturally inclined towards freedom. It's inclined to look for a leader who promises (no delivery necessary) to keep them safe and fed.
     -- Terry Berg, Occidental, CA     
  • 1
  •  
    Exactly!
     -- Andy, Portland, OR     
  •  
    Freedom is safety and food on the table, it is the only way to guarantee it.
     -- Anonymous     
  • 1
  •  
    David, I like it a lot - how true, how true ! 2nd Anonymous above, I like yours also; by way of observation, the patrons of atheistic socialism's divinity, with their willfully genuflecting submission to statist ownership of all, compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity (life, property, income taxes, etc. funny money etc., differing degrees of slavery, etc.), non-recognition of the individual's inalienable sovereign rights and all else that any number of carnal gods would shackle a once free We The People with.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
  • 2
  •  
    Excellent Mike.
     -- Mike, Pleasant Hill     
  • 1
  •  
    Simple, the truth.
     -- Pedro Borrero, Yauco, P.R.     
  •  
    most who are awake are sleeping......
     -- Robert, St. Emilion, France     
  •  
    Indeed!! @Terry, human nature may not appear to be inclined to freedom, but just see what happens when you try and cage a wild man. I would say that human nature is inclined towards power -- the responsibility of which will determine if he will command the power or the power will command him. As long as the slave does not know he is a slave and is conditioned to want his servitude, he will not try and break out of the cage, on the contrary he will cling to it for dear life. Slavery is a mental condition, and only the truth and a willingness to take responsibility for oneself is required to reveal the bondage, then the trick is getting out!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  • 2
  •  
    Tyrants thrive on any religious practice that condones servitude by force for acceptance. It is about money and/or substance. 
     -- Ronw13, OR     
  • 2
  •  
     -- jim k, Austin      
    i need help understanding this quote 
     -- e     
  •  
    It means "use it or lose it."  ;-)
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  •  
    "Slavery is a mental condition, and only the truth and a willingness to take responsibility for oneself is required to reveal the bondage, then the trick is getting out!"

    Indeed!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
  •  
    The gentlemen devotes himself to science, art and justice.
     -- Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown     
  •  
     
    Rate this quote!
    How many stars?
    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5

     
    What do YOU think?
    Your name:
    Your town:
        CLICK JUST ONCE!

    More Quotations
    Get a Quote-A-Day! Free!
    Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
    RSS Subscribe
    Quotes & Quotations - Send This Quote to a Friend

    © 1998-2024 Liberty-Tree.ca