Aristotle: "The basis of a democratic state is liberty."

Patrick Henry has been quoted as saying, "Give me liberty, or give me death." Well, that sounds pretty serious, doesn't it? What is liberty that it should be worth the life of a patriot?

Dictionary.com's relevant definition:

a. The condition of being free from restriction or control.
b. The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.
c. The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor. See Synonyms at freedom.

Okay, so this is a good thing, this liberty?

Yes, but as with all things, moderation:

But what is liberty without wisdom and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.

- Edmund Burke

Alright, so there shouldn't be anarchy in a civilized society, but surely liberty itself stems from some government control…

Liberty has never come from Government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it… The history of liberty is a history of limitations of governmental power, not the increase of it.

- Woodrow Wilson

Alright, well, surely there is no place for religion in a society that cherishes liberty…

The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.

- Alexis de Tocqueville

Hmm…this liberty is a strange thing. Surely, those who embrace such a thing would be willing to allow the Government to do what they have to do to protect the country.

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
- Benjamin Franklin

Isn't that at odds with what is in the Constitution?

Section 9, Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

I think Franklin was issuing a word of caution about going to far. But what's too far? Going too far would be to continue detentions after the period of rebellion or invasion. Generally, speaking, we're talking about war, here. And I don't think Franklin would have a problem with the Patriot Act, mainly because there are controls on what the government can do and when, but I haven't been able to reach him for comment.

With Liberty, there is an implied responsibility to do the right things for the right reasons.

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.
- George Bernard Shaw

Well, that's a bit pessimistic isn't it? Yeah, but like most pieces of conventional wisdom, there is some truth to it.

So if liberty is such a drag, why is worth fighting for? Because we are slaves without it. But with freedom comes responsibility.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

- Thomas Jefferson