“Liberty is not merely a privilege to be conferred; it is a habit to be acquired.”

This is true, but I would like to know who he thinks is "conferring" liberty.

Ben, Orem. It could be read he doesn't at all believe liberty is a privelege to be conferred by anybody but those that work at it and thus earn the status of freeman after learning how valuable the status is.I don't know the speaker of the quote but that is the way I read it if it does anythiing to clear up the matter.

The doctrines of liberty and freedom are nailed down. It is a responsibility of leadership to educate the people of these facts which is grossly neglected. Which book is under the judges desk? inalienable rights, by God. To withhold this information is oppression. That's why we left England and the isles.

Liberty is a right to be claimed and taken if it is not freely given. It is not so much a habit as it is a state of mind. This statement illustrates one of the differences between being a citizen and a subject.

Anon, you are spot on - well done! from a fellow Welshman (half).

I believe he means liberty conferred by the State, and by State he means welfare state.

Justin, its rhetorical and stands alone.

The quote states the obvious: liberty requires responsibility, and if you won't exercise your rights, you won't have them.