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"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -- Benjamin Franklin Seems pretty stra

• wyldfire 11y ago
  I've cited this message by Franklin in the past but I've since learned that he was making the case for the legislation to have the power to tax wealthy landowners in order to fund the French and Indian war. He's not saying this in anything like the context we tend to use it now. http://www.npr.org/2015/03/02/390245038/ben-franklins-famous-liberty-safety-quote-lost-its-context-in-21st-century http://www.npr.org/2015/03/02/390245038/ben-franklins-famous...
  • sliverstorm 11y ago
    Not to mention people typically misquote it like this: Those who would give up Liberty, to purchase Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Which completely changes the meaning even aside from context.
  • neverartful 11y ago
    Even if Franklin didn't intend it in the same vein, it still seems like sage advice.
• narrator 11y ago
  Since we're quoting stuff here: "Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger." -- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials For the skeptical, yes, this is a real quote: http://www.snopes.com/quotes/goering.asp http://www.snopes.com/quotes/goering.asp
• hawleyal 11y ago
  Misquoted.
• nsgi 11y ago
  What about those who would give up essential safety to purchase a little temporary liberty (not saying that applies here)?
• mrexroad 11y ago
  "just the tip, I promise!" - a guy