Hilaire Belloc, (1870-1953) French-born British writer Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Hilaire Belloc Quote “Never could an increase of comfort or security be a sufficient good to be bought at the price of liberty.”Hilaire Belloc ~ Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) French-born British writer Corruption , Despotism , Liberty , Security , Welfare Ratings and Comments 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk 3/19/08 A self evident truth lost on today's socialist. 1 Reply Logan, Memphis, TN 3/19/08 Amen, and Amen! 1Reply RobertSRQ 3/19/08 Tell that to the American people, but first pull their heads out of the sand. I am fascinated by the fact that right-wing conservatives (neo-cons) and religious fundamentalists have this aged old tactic of accusing the other side of exactly what they themselves are responsible for. I suppose the socialists are responsible for the worst crisis in America since 1945. As I said yesterday and repeat today you tout free trade yet allow the government and Fed to step in when things get messy. America is the Nation that protects the rich and kicks the poor, we allow profits to be privatized and losses to be socialized -- well done hypocrites. I hope you are now satisfied. Fortunately for you, the liberals will have to come in and clean up the mess. 1 Reply E Archer, NYC 3/19/08 The liberals tout 'security' as govt entitlements, conservatives tout 'security' as military build up at home and abroad. The libertarians tout security as Freedom itself. The fact is, there is an inherent risk in life -- we spend a lot of energy trying to stay alive despite the fact that we all end up dead eventually. Liberals and Conservatives alike do seem to lay upon the government the responsibility for keeping us alive forever. But real freedom-fighters know that death is a milder fate than tyranny. Reply Mike, Norwalk 3/19/08 Archer, thank you very very much, said extremely well. 1Reply Waffler, Smith, Arkansas 3/19/08 I like that Robert about profits privatized and losses socialized, good point! Secuirity and freedom from want, elements, storm and tribulation has always been had at the expense of individual liberty. Life inside the city walls has historically been more comfortable and less "free" than life outside the city walls. This is not a left/right or socialist/libertarian issue but a fact of life and civilization. Reply RobertSRQ 3/19/08 Real freedom fighters preserve life at all costs - tyranny is not part of their vocabulary. We are responsible for the act by doing nothing - we are as guilty as they are. Reply Mike, Norwalk RobertSRQ 8/23/22 Robert, I think you are getting closer. Do you or any freedom fighters here abstain from and fight against compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licenses, larceny with impunity (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, Social Security, police state confiscations, funny money {debt}, etc.) or the insidious demonization by socialism and the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land? how do you or any freedom fighters here advance individual sovereignty, inalienable rights, freedom / liberty, peace, prosperity, the nobility of man or the laws of nature and of nature's God? 1Reply Waffler, Smith, Arkansas 3/19/08 Freedom is a big word and one should define what they are referring too. Life in a planned community is different than life on your own ranch. Of course one is free to adopt the planned community life or not but once you opt for the comfort and security of one and socialize with the community you give up the freedom of action of the other. Mr. Belloc's quote is to short to fully understand his meaning. 2 Reply Logan, Memphis, TN 3/19/08 Whether or not you believe you "give up" your freedom is largely based on what philosophy you adhere to: Hobbes or Locke. Personally, I adhere to Locke. Waffler's right in that freedom is a big word, and words should always be defined as to what they are referring to-- especially to the time and place in which they were spoken. Archer, well said. 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk Logan, Memphis, TN 8/23/22 Logan, thank you for the opportunity:Freedom is: “The state of being free; liberty; self determination:” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st Edition); “the power or liberty to order one's own actions” (Colins English Dictionary); “The ability to act at liberty.” (Webster’s Dictionary)Liberty is: “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons. Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Black’s Law Dictionary 1st ed.). Clarifying original fact, natural law intent, and de jure jurisprudence: “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” (Thomas Jefferson) “The Natural Liberty of Man is to be free from any Superior Power on Earth, and not to be under the Will or Legislative Authority of Man, but to have only the Law of Nature for his Rule.” (John Locke - second most quoted source for creation of the Constitution) “Personal liberty, or the Right to enjoyment of life and liberty, is one of the fundamental or natural Rights, which has been protected by its inclusion as a guarantee in the various constitutions, which is not derived from, or dependent on, the U.S. Constitution, which may not be submitted to a vote and may not depend on the outcome of an election. It is one of the most sacred and valuable Rights, as sacred as the Right to private property ⋯ and is regarded as inalienable.” (16 C.J.S., Constitutional Law, Sect.202, p.987). Liberty, under “the laws of nature and of nature’s God” (Declaration of Independence) – natural law, is the state of exercising all inalienable rights. “All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; among which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing the obtaining of happiness and safety.” (George Mason) 1 Reply calvin, Lewisville 2/12/09 Didn't Ben Franklin say, "He who would surrender freedom for security deserves neither"! Reply jim k, Austin 11/21/18 1 Reply Ronw13, OR 11/21/18 Chophshiy Liberty, Freedom from bondage, tax, or care, at your pleasure. Economic Liberty. Reply Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown 8/23/22 The responsible individual has a different insight then your typical conventional individual. Seems the conventional individual believes that liberty includes neglecting the $244,000 we as taxpayers each owe our government, where as the Social being believes that real liberty entails the ability is to return every penny of that sum owed. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Hilaire Belloc quote is found in these categories: Corruption quotes Despotism quotes Liberty quotes Security quotes Welfare quotes About Hilaire Belloc Bio of Hilaire Belloc Quotations by Hilaire Belloc Books by/about Hilaire Belloc Hilaire Belloc videos Hilaire Belloc on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Hilaire Belloc