“Intellectual liberty is the air of the soul, the sunshine of the mind, and without it, the world is a prison, the universe is a dungeon.”

I wouldn't seek to categorize liberty, such seems to belittle it. It is much easier to define and understand the simplicity of liberty when applied and defined as the universal constant that it is. While I agree with the quote, I only give it 3 stars for the compartmentalization of liberty.

I think we are becoming a little too abstract about what liberty is, as if it is something that can never be had or grasped. As Americans we take for granted the tremendous freedom we have to worship, to vote, to choose our culture, career paths, express ourselves etcetera. It is not this way everywhere, that is what liberty or freedom form the mother country entailed. Not only politcal freedom but cultural freedom also. A societal break with the strictures of Monarchy and Church.

Well said, Waffler.

Live free or die. Without liberty you may be walking, talking, eating, breathing, working; but if you are at the point of a tyrant's gun, are you really living?

Free thought and honest reasoning has done the most to free people from the oppression of custom, 'authority,' prejudice, myth, and fear.

The key word here is Intellectual - educate, educate, and educate, then we have the tools to fight oppression.

With poetic license, its a good start.