"People demand freedom only when they have no power"
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
About this Quote
This quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow recommends that people just demand liberty when they do not have power. This suggests that when people have power, they do not feel the requirement to demand liberty. This might be because they feel secure in their power and do not feel the requirement to fight for flexibility. It could likewise be because they are content with the status quo and do not feel the need to challenge it. This quote could likewise be interpreted as a criticism of those in power, suggesting that they are refraining from doing enough to guarantee freedom for those who do not have power. It could be viewed as a call to action for those in power to guarantee that everyone has the very same rights and freedoms, regardless of their power. Eventually, this quote recommends that freedom should not be taken for approved and that those in power must strive to ensure that everybody has the exact same rights and freedoms.