"No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right"

Charles Simmons’s assertion challenges the notion of absolute personal freedom by distinguishing between the concepts of liberty and license. Human beings often desire the autonomy to make their own choices, believing that doing as one pleases is an inherent right. However, Simmons introduces a crucial moral distinction: having the power or inclination to act does not equate to having the rightful freedom to do so without considering ethical implications. He posits that true moral freedom is not the liberty to follow every whim or desire but rather the liberty to choose what is right.

This perspective places ethical responsibility at the center of personal liberty. Only actions aligned with righteousness, choices that consider justice, fairness, and the well-being of others, are endorsed as legitimate uses of one’s freedom. Here, “doing right” does not simply mean obeying laws or adhering to societal norms; it points to a deeper moral compass, an internal guide that discerns good from harm. Simmons suggests that when personal will aligns with moral goodness, individual actions benefit not just oneself but society as a whole.

The quote serves as a call for self-restraint, reflection, and moral accountability. It recognizes that unbridled personal freedom often leads to chaos, injustice, or harm to others. By reserving rightful autonomy for actions that are just and righteous, Simmons implicitly endorses a society based on mutual respect, ethical conduct, and collective harmony. The foundation of true freedom, therefore, is not absence of constraint, but rather the conscious and willing alignment of one’s actions with what is good.

Ultimately, Simmons’s statement elevates the standard for personal conduct by insisting that the truest expression of freedom is the deliberate choice of right over wrong. The passage challenges individuals to consider not just what they are free to do, but what they ought to do.