Famous quote by Harry Emerson Fosdick

"Liberty is always dangerous, but it is the safest thing we have"

About this Quote

Harry Emerson Fosdick's quote, "Liberty is constantly unsafe, but it is the most safe thing we have", records the paradoxical nature of liberty and its vital function in human society. Initially glance, this declaration juxtaposes the concepts of liberty and security in a way that invites a deeper expedition of their intertwined relationship.

In stating "Liberty is constantly harmful", Fosdick acknowledges that freedom features fundamental threats. The exercise of liberty permits people to choose, a few of which might lead to negative effects. When individuals are free to act according to their own will, there is a capacity for conflict, interruption, and even mayhem. Flexibility can result in actions and expressions that challenge the status quo, provoke discomfort, and even result in damage. This threat is not simply hypothetical; history attests to various circumstances where the workout of freedom has actually resulted in upheaval and unrest.

Nevertheless, Fosdick counters this recommendation of risk with the assertion that "it is the most safe thing we have". This part of the quote recommends that, despite its threats, liberty is fundamental to the wellness and progress of society. Liberty enables development, self-expression, and the pursuit of reality, all of which are important for a dynamic and dynamic community. In the long term, the checks and balances supplied by liberty, such as open dispute and the free exchange of ideas, provide the best protect against tyranny, injustice, and stagnation. By allowing people the freedom to believe separately and act according to their conscience, societies can adjust and grow in action to altering conditions and challenges.

Therefore, Fosdick's quote elegantly encapsulates the vital tension in between freedom and security. It prompts us to recognize that liberty, while laden with danger, stays important. The best course for any society is not to relinquish flexibility in pursuit of an illusory security, however to embrace liberty as the structure upon which the most durable and growing societies are built.

About the Author

USA Flag This quote is from Harry Emerson Fosdick between May 24, 1878 and October 5, 1969. He/she was a famous Clergyman from USA. The author also have 29 other quotes.
See more from Harry Emerson Fosdick

Similar Quotes

Shortlist

No items yet. Click "Add" on a Quote.