Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Freedom
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“Economists often talk about the benefits of choice, but rational economic man doesn't actually have much freedom to chose, because he is a slave to his own preferences.”
David Orrell (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Social justice, ecological survival and freedom are threatened where we allow the proliferation of societal structures which in themselves tend to work against these goals.”
Margrit Kennedy (1939–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This planet’s secret menace was—freedom!”
Robert Sheckley (1928–2005) said by 2005 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The mores I return to myself, the more I divest myself, under the traumatic effect of persecution , of my freedom as a constituted, wilful, imperialistic subject, the more I discover myself to be responsible' the more just I am, the more guilty I am. I am 'in myself' through others.”
Emmanuel Levinas (1906–1995) said by 1995 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Responsibility to history and tradition creates freedom.”
Roger Haight (1936–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am not suggesting that racial admixture is a solution to the world’s grave problems. I am suggesting, however, that a freedom of diverse parts in Nature to blend into variant universals should be open in fiction and art.”
Wilson Harris (1921–2018) said by 2018 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Education is still starved. It is the cornerstone of any civilized society and the sharpest sword in the defence of freedom, but it is still the step child of governments and corporations alike.”
Stanley Knowles (1908–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The mindless ferocity of this man, and all those like him, their real loathing born of nothing more solid than insecurity and fear...It was a channel. Will knew that he had been gazing into the channel down which the powers of the Dark, if they gained their freedom, could ride in an instant to complete control of the earth.”
Susan Cooper (born 1935) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is the age which, although proclaimed as one of physical and moral freedom, is in truth the age of the most ferocious moral and mental slavery, the like of which was never known before.”
Helena Blavatsky (1831–1891) said by 1891 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Better guilt than the terrible burden of freedom and responsibility,; especially when the choice comes too late in life for one to be able to start over again.”
Ernest Becker (1924–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Jesus was face to face with a concrete situation similar in principle to that of Belgium in 1914. ...The issues at stake... were similar in principle, namely freedom versus bondage. ...Why not follow the warlike example of Joshua and David and Judas Maccabeus? Does not the end justify the means? These are questions that Jesus faced.”
Kirby Page (1890–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“During the lifetime of Jesus the question of freedom was the outstanding problem before the Jewish people. Political independence, economic relief, religious integrity, all awaited the Deliverer...”
Kirby Page (1890–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If individuals exercise the freedom to seek their own gain through competitive struggle and to acquire unlimited wealth and property, the result for most of the population will be bondage to destitution and insecurity.”
Kirby Page (1890–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mutual aid is the way to prevent the third world war. Mutual aid is also the way to stop the internal growth of Communism by providing our people with plenty, security and freedom.”
Kirby Page (1890–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The arbitrary separation of citizens on the basis of race while they are on a public highway is a badge of servitude wholly inconsistent with the civil freedom and the equality before the law established by the Constitution. It cannot be justified upon any legal grounds.”
John Marshall Harlan (1833–1911) said by 1911 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This first stage of the life of the whole race is savagery, raw nature:… a condition in which man enjoys the most exquisite goods, equality and freedom, in full abundance, and would also enjoy them forever, if he would follow the hint of nature and understand the art of not abusing his powers and preventing the outbreak of his excessive passions.”
Adam Weishaupt (1748–1830) first seen 1794 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Die neuesten Arbeiten des Spartacus und Philo in dem Illuminaten-Orden (1794) pp. 20-21.
“It requires your constant analyses because all meaning is subjective: the only way you can opt for settled meaning, objective meaning, or received meaning is by giving away your freedom.”
Eric Maisel (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We need to restrain ourselves in what we say about other religions, in how we judge other faiths. We don't need new laws. We cannot restrict freedom of speech. We need to restrict ourselves. Otherwise, in the end, we will be restricted.”
Edgar Bronfman Sr. (1929–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Exploring Israel's meaning to you, as an American and as a Jew, is to firmly lock yourself onto the chain of thousands of years of Jewish history, and also claim your legacy as an American who is blessed to live in a land of freedom.”
Edgar Bronfman Sr. (1929–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Make no mistake; the people of Iran will not risk their lives for a candidate, but rather for the dream of human rights, freedom, democracy and ultimately a better life. Like all great enduring movements, this is about ideas, and for this reason the most profound slogan being chanted is: “We don’t want our votes back! We want our country back!”
Reza Pahlavi (born 1960) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by Christoph Lehermayr, Der Sohn des Schahs spricht exklusiv mit NEWS.at: "Ich bin bereit, Konig zu werden", NEWS.at, September 15, 2009.
“From Iran's different faiths, ethnic groups and social sectors, from the left to the right of the political spectrum, from my brave countrymen and women struggling for human dignity and freedom, this is the message I carry to you: As you face our oppressors, do not turn your back to us. We are your best friends in the struggle against a common enemy, the enemy of peace on earth.”
Reza Pahlavi (born 1960) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement by Reza Pahlavi of Iran - Democracy & Security Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, Jun. 5, 2007.
“In short, my compatriots want to reclaim Iran from the Islamic Republic. This a struggle for human dignity and liberation. Iranians want their freedom, their dignity and their country back”
Reza Pahlavi (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The move from Africa to America was a vast increase of freedom for the Negro, materially and spiritually.”
Rousas John Rushdoony (1916–2001) said by 2001 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The measure of information to be developed here will also be related to freedom of choice; that is, it will be a function of the probabilities of choice associated with the alternative courses of action... The measure developed here is a function of m, the number of alternative potential courses of action.”
Russell L. Ackoff (1919–2009) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: p. 145, as cited in: Galjaard (2009, p. 89): About the information-concept of Ackoff.
“The Americans want to build a big tower on the site of September the 11th. Freedom Tower they're going to call it but now apparently they're worried and they're looking at ways to try and make it terrorist proof. I think they should have just build a giant fucking mosque. No one is going to fly into that are they?! Or even better, a runway.”
Frankie Boyle (born 1972) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wanted to be the Great Liberating Teacher, to raise them from their knees after days of drudgery in office and factories, to help them cast off their shackles, to lead them to the mountaintop, to breathe the air of freedom. Once their minds were clear of cant, they’d see me as a savior.”
Frank McCourt (1930–2009) said by 2009 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“So much of liberalism in its classical sense is taken for granted in the West today and even disrespected. We take freedom for granted, and because of this we don't understand how incredibly vulnerable it is.”
Niall Ferguson (born 1964) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nobody needed the US Constitution to guarantee press freedom so that journalists could befriend, amplify and glorify political leaders; the guarantee was necessary so that journalists could do the opposite.”
Glenn Greenwald (born 1967) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Picador 2015 edition, p. 230
“If you do not have the means to marry, marry a slave woman and give her freedom.." He said this is what the Quran encourages. However, he said it can't work vice-versa. According to Naik, it can't work if a woman wants to do the same. Only a man has such rights.”
Zakir Naik (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The man was a freedom fighter.”
Charles Barron (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Objectivity may also be defined as freedom: the objective individual is bound by no commitments which could prejudice his perception, understanding, and evaluation of the given.”
Georg Simmel (1858–1918) said by 1918 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I caint believe how foolish—!” “Yes. It was foolish,” said Tirhakah. “But freedom alone does not make men intelligent, nor do chains alone make them fools.”
Malcolm Azania (born 1969) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We, the people, were denied of the right even to mention the word peace or peace partisans and everyone related to them had to suffer from imprisonment as if it were an unpardonable crime. But now, after the people have been liberated from slavery, and after July 14 has dawned on us, this Republic and her sons have been liberated and have been marching on the path of freedom ever since.”
Abd al-Karim Qasim (1914–1963) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech delivered at the second congress of the peace partisans (April 14, 1959).
“No longer shall the intrigues and mischief-making of the imperialists deceive us. No longer shall our work be interrupted under flimsy pretexts. We are working to attain a bright and better future, ensuring freedom and prosperous living not only to ourselves but to posterity.”
Abd al-Karim Qasim (1914–1963) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech delivered in the gardens of the Shaab Hall (May 1, 1959).
“We are not against parties nor are we against the loyal groups, we are always with them, helping them across the ocean of this life. We do not like that the trends and leanings of these parties should get into the ranks of the Army under any circumstances. The reason for this, brothers, is to preserve the unity of the Army and make it always ready to serve the people and the freedom of the people.”
Abd al-Karim Qasim (1914–1963) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech delivered at the officers' club (June 16, 1959).
“We may have pledged to support the freedom of the people so that we ourselves may enjoy the results. We are working for the sake of God and for the sake of the people. We do not need to be known, nor do we need propaganda. We work for the sake of God and we know that how long we may live, we will ultimately die and the people will remain. The absolute rule is by the people and not by individuals.”
Abd al-Karim Qasim (1914–1963) said by 1963 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think so-called unrestrained liberalism only makes the strong stronger and the weak weaker and excludes the most excluded. We need great freedom, no discrimination, no demagoguery and a lot of love. We need rules of conduct and also, if necessary, direct intervention from the state to correct the more intolerable inequalities.”
Pope Francis (1936–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In recent centuries, millions of people came to this land to pursue their dream of building a future in freedom. We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners. I say this to you as the son of immigrants, knowing that so many of you are also descended from immigrants.”
Pope Francis (1936–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I can’t be twenty-two again. I can’t subject myself to the same compulsion that, at the time, appeared to me as freedom and gave me wings.”
Elias Canetti (1905–1994) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: J. Agee, trans. (1989), p. 17
“deleted my Yahoo, Hotmail, flickr, digg and stumbleupon accounts one way forward to social freedom”
Bassel Khartabil (1981–2015) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tweet Jan 21, 2012, 7:10AM at Twitter.com
“As long as we are ruled by others we shall lay our mistakes at their door, and our sense of responsibility will remain dulled. Freedom brings responsibilities, and our experience can be enriched only by the acceptance of these responsibilities.”
Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I prefer freedom in danger than servitude in tranquility”
Kwame Nkrumah (1909–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Freedom was a word that everyone mentioned but none of us knew. There wasn't much left for anyone to die for, except the right to remain peculiar.”
Colum McCann (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some people gain freedom by trading one form of bondage for another.”
Pat Cadigan (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“# The study of relations rather than "entities" with an emphasis on process and transition probabilities as the basis of a flexible structure of many degrees of freedom.”
Walter F. Buckley (1921–2006) said by 2006 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You have never tasted freedom friend, or you would know it is purchased not with gold, but steel.”
Steven Pressfield (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“America is more than just a land mass between two oceans, America is an ideal. A simple, yet powerful ideal. Freedom matters.”
“If you love our country, and love our children as much as you do, stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom, and to be faithful to the constitution.”
“If somebody wants to stay in their house, that’s great. They should be allowed to stay in their house, and they should not be compelled to leave. But to say that they cannot leave their house, and they will be arrested if they do, this is fascist. This is not democratic. This is not freedom.”
Elon Musk (born 1971) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 30 April 2020 quote by Susan Walsh, “Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Aren’t on the Same Page,” New York Times
“If you scare people enough, they will demand removal of freedom. This is the path to tyranny.”
Elon Musk (born 1971) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Tweet (January. 27, 2022), as cited in "Musk calls Biden a 'damp sock puppet' and rants about Covid-19 restrictions: 'This is the path to tyranny'" The Independent (London, January 28, 2022)