"When liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default it can never be recovered"

Dorothy Thompson's quote speaks to the complicated nature of liberty and the means by which it can be lost or gained back. At its core, the declaration assesses the relationship in between force, voluntariness, and the endurance of liberty.

To start with, Thompson resolves the scenario where liberty is removed by force. This implies an external, coercive element-- such as dictatorial routines, colonial powers, or oppressive governments-- that strips people or societies of their freedom. Thompson asserts that in these situations, liberty, having been unjustly eliminated, can be reclaimed through force. Historically, this has actually often held true, as shown by transformations and wars of self-reliance where individuals have battled to overthrow oppressive systems and restore their fundamental rights. Using force in such contexts exists as a genuine and essential reaction to regain what was wrongfully taken.

On the other hand, the 2nd part of the quote looks into a subtler and arguably more insidious loss of liberty: when it is voluntarily given up by default. Here, Thompson suggests that liberty can deteriorate not through obvious coercion however through negligence, passiveness, or complacency. People or societies might slowly surrender their liberties, possibly in exchange for assured security, convenience, or due to a lack of alertness. This voluntary forfeiture exists as more irreversible, as it is not enforced from outside but rather emerges from within. The expression "by default" suggests a passive approval or ignorance of the lessening freedom.

Thompson's point of view underscores a vital caution: the danger to liberty is not just from apparent, external oppressors but also from within, through our own actions-- or inactiveness. The underlying message is a call for continuous awareness and proactive defense of our liberties. As soon as voluntarily surrendered, it suggests, liberty is much more difficult to restore, as the will to recover it may decrease or vanish entirely. The quote encourages people to acknowledge the extensive worth of their liberty and stay alert versus both obvious and subtle encroachments.