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Most men, after a little freedom, have preferred authority with the consoling assurances and the economy of effort it brings.
Walter Lippmann
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Many people choose security and authority over freedom due to the comfort and ease it provides.

This quote by Walter Lippmann suggests that after experiencing freedom, a majority of individuals may ultimately favor the structure and reassurance that comes with authority. It highlights a significant human tendency to seek comfort in conformity and guidance, even if it means sacrificing personal liberty, as the effort required to maintain freedom can often be overwhelming.

Themes

FreedomAuthorityComfortEffortHuman Nature

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about government roles, one could use this quote to illustrate how citizens sometimes prefer authoritarian rule for the sake of stability.

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