“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
- January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790
- American
- Polymath, Founding Father of the United States, Inventor, Diplomat, Writer
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Quote
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Explanation
In this enduring quote, Benjamin Franklin warns against the danger of sacrificing fundamental freedoms for the promise of short-term security. The phrase “essential liberty” refers to the core rights that uphold individual autonomy and democratic society, while “a little temporary safety” points to fleeting protection or comfort offered by authority. Franklin’s judgment is severe: those who make this trade-off “deserve neither liberty nor safety,” implying that such a compromise is both morally wrong and ultimately self-defeating.
This quote arose during the mid-18th century amid tensions over taxation, defense, and governance in colonial America. Franklin and his contemporaries feared that increased government control—especially when justified by fear—could erode the very freedoms they sought to protect. His statement reflects Enlightenment ideals that prioritize liberty, self-governance, and skepticism of concentrated power, especially under the guise of protection.
Today, Franklin’s words remain a powerful warning in debates over privacy, surveillance, and civil liberties. From anti-terrorism laws to pandemic policies, societies continue to wrestle with the balance between freedom and security. Franklin reminds us that liberty is not a luxury to be bargained away, but the foundation of a free society—and that once relinquished, it is difficult to regain. His message is timeless: true security depends not on control, but on the preservation of fundamental rights.
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