"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

–Benjamin Franklin, 1759 (ref)

I’ve used this quote on and off for years, but ran across it again today. Recollection is a good practice.

Edit (09/08/2011) to reflect the most accurate version of the quote I’ve been able to find, linked above. The original version posted here in 2003 was, “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”