"Make men wise, and by that very operation you make them free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand against the artillery of opinion"

William Godwin's quote, "Make males smart, and by that really operation you make them totally free. Civil liberty follows as a consequence of this; no usurped power can stand versus the weapons of viewpoint", is both a call to action and a philosophical assertion about the intrinsic link in between wisdom and liberty. Godwin argues that knowledge through knowledge is essential to attaining real freedom. The underlying premise is that lack of knowledge is a kind of bondage, while understanding empowers people to identify and withstand injustice.

The declaration "Make men smart, and by that extremely operation you make them totally free" recommends that education and the cultivation of knowledge are transformative processes that free people from the restrictions of lack of knowledge and control. In Godwin's view, wisdom equips individuals with the important thinking skills essential to question authority, challenge existing power structures, and make notified choices about their lives and societies.

The subsequent statement, "Civil liberty follows as a repercussion of this", suggests that social flexibility is an inescapable result when people become smart. Godwin envisions a society where increased knowledge among the populace dissolves the barriers to civil liberties, leading to a more just and fair society. This is based on the belief that notified residents are much better equipped to participate in democratic processes, hold organizations responsible, and require their rights.

Lastly, "no usurped power can stand versus the weapons of viewpoint" highlights the power of popular opinion as a democratic force. Godwin stresses that when knowledge causes widespread enlightenment, collective popular opinion ends up being a powerful tool versus arbitrary or unjustified authority. The metaphor of "weapons" recommends that informed opinion is a powerful weapon that no illegitimate power can endure.

In general, Godwin's quote is a classic supporter for the transformative power of education and wisdom as fundamental aspects in the pursuit of individual and cumulative freedom. It underscores the importance of cultivating an informed and critically believing population to secure and promote civil liberties.