Single Idea 19994

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 5. Freedom of lifestyle]

Full Idea

In a society where laws exist, liberty can consist only in being able to do what one ought to will, and in not being contrained to do what one ought not to will. ...If a citizen could do what the law prohibits, all others would have the same power.

Gist of Idea

Freedom in society is ability to do what is right, and not having to do what is wrong

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 11.03)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.180


A Reaction

This sounds pretty quaint in 2017, but I love it.