Benjamin Franklin quote. Do you agree or disagree?

Question

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -Benjamin Franklin

Do you agree with this statement or disagree? Why or why not?

I disagree seeing that sometimes we have to give up certain liberties in order to have safety.

Answer 1

I agree, but I think you're not reading the quote correctly.

The key words are ESSENTIAL liberty and TEMPORARY safety

i.e. it isn't essential to get through the airport without the screening so if they add a few minutes of inconvieience its no big deal

    it is essential to maintain freedom of the press. So when that is taken away in the name of safety we've got problems

Answer 2

i can see both sides of the coin, but i agree with it.

Answer 3

I would have to disagree. What's the point of having liberties if your dead?

Answer 4

he's saying that anyone who is not willing to boldly fight for their freedom, despite the costs, does not deserve it, and i agree. many people faced death in history just so we could have rights and i commend them for it. i'm not that strong