Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Walt Whitman Quote “The shallow consider liberty a release from all law, from every constraint. The wise see in it, on the contrary, the potent Law of Laws.” ~ Walt Whitman (1819-1892)Notes Left Over, 1881 Anarchy , Civil Rights , Freedom , Individual Rights , Justice , Law , Liberty , Wisdom Ratings and Comments Reply beth, vay 3/30/05 boohoo 1 Reply Dick Trice, Fort Worth 10/17/05 Whitman has it right as he usually did. 2 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 11/19/07 The only constraints on Liberty are natural in that we all enjoy it equally. And we all defend it. 2 Reply warren, olathe 11/19/07 Another way of saying that with liberty comes responsibility. 1 Reply Mike, Norwalk 11/19/07 I don't know that I would have used the word shallow. I think I may have used the word 'ignorant' (remembering that most of man's codes, edicts, rules, and statutes have nothing to do with "potent Law of Laws") 3 Reply E Archer, NYC 11/19/07 The shallow often call Liberty 'anarchy.' 2 Reply Charles, Ludlow 3/17/16 Discernment makes the defining difference. Right differentiation between liberty and licentiousness requires the presence of discernment, an attribute that does not characteristically inhere, in great measure, in those who have become licentious. Reply jim k, Austin 3/17/16 SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Walt Whitman quote is found in these categories: Anarchy quotes Civil Rights quotes Freedom quotes Individual Rights quotes Justice quotes Law quotes Liberty quotes Wisdom quotes About Walt Whitman Bio of Walt Whitman Quotations by Walt Whitman Books by/about Walt Whitman Walt Whitman videos Walt Whitman on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Walt Whitman