Of course it's in the eye of the beholder. The quote is just one man's subjective opinion. It's a pretty way of stating one person's opinion as to the relative

Of course it's in the eye of the beholder. The quote is just one man's subjective opinion. It's a pretty way of stating one person's opinion as to the relative importance of essential liberty and safety which many people agree with. It's a matter for debate what liberties are essential and different people believe different things.