“Freedom is a possession of inestimable value.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“Freedom is a possession of inestimable value.”
Explanation
This quote emphasizes that freedom is a good so great it cannot be measured. Cicero regards liberty not merely as a political condition but as a fundamental component of human dignity and flourishing. The use of the word “inestimable” signals that its worth transcends material calculation; it is priceless. Freedom, to Cicero, is not simply the absence of constraint but the condition under which virtue, reason, and civic responsibility can thrive.
In the context of late Republican Rome, Cicero was a fierce defender of the republic and its legal traditions, often opposing dictatorial powers like those assumed by Julius Caesar. His insistence on the value of freedom reflects his concern with the erosion of republican liberties. For Cicero, freedom was bound to the rule of law, self-governance, and moral integrity, all of which he saw threatened by political ambition and civil strife.
Today, this quote continues to resonate in debates about civil liberties, democratic governance, and personal autonomy. Whether in the face of authoritarianism, censorship, or social coercion, the assertion that freedom is beyond price remains a powerful moral and political standard. It reminds us that once lost, freedom may be difficult to recover, and that its protection requires constant vigilance and courage.
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