“Personal liberty is the paramount essential to human dignity and human happiness.”

Amen

You can say that again....Amen

Personal liberty is also essential for any true security as well.

Personal liberty is much more a function of relationships with others than with government. All relationships tend to define and control us. Choose your relationships wisely.

This quote doesn't seem nearly prolix enough for Bulwer-Lytton though it is certainly sagacious and erudite enough.

That indeed is the real religious pursuit as well - and
it is best obtained by optimizing'' and not either exceeding or denying one's eco-socio-political needs.