#value

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. ↗

There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for me to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed or enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. ↗

— Ayn Rand

#guilt #injustice #innocence #innocent #justice

[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others. ↗

— Michael J. Sandel

#individuals #liberalism #liberty #states #values

I believe strongly that my books are entertainment. I hope you might learn a thing or two while reading them, but first and foremost, my job is to entertain you. If I’m waving a flag in Hot Target, it’s the same flag I’ve always waved in all my books—the American flag. And that’s a flag that’s supposed to stand for acceptance and understanding. For freedom for all—and not just freedom for all Americans, but freedom for all of the diverse and wonderful people living on this planet; freedom to live their lives according to their definitions of freedom. It’s a flag that’s supposed to stand for real American values like honor and honesty and peace and love and hope. ↗

— Suzanne Brockmann

#honor #values #freedom

What influence, in fact, have ecclesiastical establishments had on society? In some instances they have been seen to erect a spiritual tyranny on the ruins of the civil authority; on many instances they have been seen upholding the thrones of political tyranny; in no instance have they been the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wish to subvert the public liberty may have found an established clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate it, needs them not. ↗

— James Madison

#founding-fathers #not-an-apology #religious-freedom #freedom

Es ist [...] meine tiefe Überzeugung, dass die Freiheit das Allerwichtigste im Zusammenleben ist und erst Freiheit unserer Gesellschaft Kultur, Substanz und Inhalt verleiht. ↗

— Joachim Gauck

#freedom #priorities #society #values #freedom

friendship is not gold, but it's more value; friendship is not diamond, but it's more glory; friendship is not iron, but it's more strong ↗

— suresh kannan kottarathil sk

#strong #value #friendship

I do not care about happiness simply because I believe that joy is something worth fighting for. ↗

— Criss Jami

#brighter #fighting #fighting-battles #greater #greater-glory

Never live your life on the edge when you have loved ones who love you and who are depending on you. ↗

— Paul Nat

#life #value #inspirational

Be a solution provider and not a part of the problem to be solved ↗