The love of liberty that is not a real principle of dutiful behavior to authority is as hypocritical as the religion that is not productive of a good life.
Interpretation
True love for freedom must be accompanied by a sense of duty towards authority; otherwise, it is hypocritical.
Joseph Butler's quote emphasizes the importance of balancing the love of freedom with respect for authority. He argues that a genuine love for liberty should naturally lead to a sense of responsibility, much like a true religion should inspire ethical living. Without this adherence to moral conduct, both liberty and religion become hollow and hypocritical expressions, losing their true meaning and significance in fostering a good life.
In practice
In a discussion about civil rights and responsibilities, this quote can highlight the importance of accountability in the pursuit of freedom.
The private interest of the individual would not be sufficiently provided for by reasonable and cool self-love alone; therefore the appetites and passions are placed within as a guard and further security, without which it would not be taken due care of.
Both our senses and our passions are a supply to the imperfection of our nature; thus they show that we are such sort of creatures as to stand in need of those helps which higher orders of creatures do not.
However, without considering this connection, there is no doubt but that more good than evil, more delight than sorrow, arises from compassion itself; there being so many things which balance the sorrow of it.
There is a much more exact correspondence between the natural and moral world than we are apt to take notice of.
God Almighty is, to be sure, unmoved by passion or appetite, unchanged by affection; but then it is to be added that He neither sees nor hears nor perceives things by any senses like ours; but in a manner infinitely more perfect.
That which is the foundation of all our hopes and of all our fears; all our hopes and fears which are of any consideration; I mean a Future Life.
In small towns people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.
It is curious that while good people go to great lengths to spare their children from suffering, few of them seem to notice that the one (and only) guaranteed way to prevent all the suffering of their children is not to bring those children into existence in the first place.
I am not skilled enough or energetic enough to craft a persona. I just have to be who I am and hope people like it.
That man can destroy life is just as miraculous a feat as that he can create it, for life is the miracle, the inexplicable. In the act of destruction, man sets himself above life; he transcends himself as a creature. Thus, the ultimate choice for a man, inasmuch as he is driven to transcend himself, is to create or to destroy, to love or to hate.
The freedom now desired by many is not freedom to do and dare but freedom from care and worry.
The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.
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