"Free people, remember this maxim: we may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost"
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
About this Quote
This quote by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a tip to all totally free individuals that liberty is a precious thing that should be valued and protected. It is a warning that as soon as liberty is lost, it is really challenging to restore. Rousseau is highlighting the value of keeping liberty and the requirement to be watchful in order to protect it. He is advising us that we must be proactive in safeguarding our liberty and not take it for granted. This quote acts as a pointer that liberty is not something that can be considered granted which we need to want to eliminate for it if required. It is a pointer that we need to know the hazards to our liberty and take action to secure it. Rousseau's words are a reminder that freedom is a fragile thing and that we should want to do whatever it takes to safeguard it.