"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to..." - Quote by Thomas Jefferson
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.
More by Thomas Jefferson
“This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty, not of mere force.”
“The man who loves his country on its own account, and not merely for its trappings of interest or power, can never be divorced for it, can never refuse to come forward when he finds that she is engaged in dangers which he has the means of warding off.”
“The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.”
More on Liberty
“People don't know the value of what they have until it is gone: Freedom suppressed and again regained bites with keener fangs than freedom never endangered.... Liberty is rendered even more precious by the recollection of servitude. Don't wait till freedom is gone before you enjoy, value, support, protect and make the most of it!”
“Life without Liberty is like a body without spirit. Liberty without thought is like a disturbed spirit.”
“The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make.”
More on Rights
“Every American ought to have the right to be treated as he would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. This is not the case.”
“Civil disobedience is the assertion of a right which law should give but which it denies.”
“The interesting and inspiring thing about America is that she asks nothing for herself except what she has a right to ask for humanity itself.”