People cannot be free unless they are willing to sacrifice some of their interests to guarantee the freedom of others. The price of democracy is the ongoing pursuit of the common good by all of the people.
What’s the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: The quote speaks volumes about the nature of freedom, democracy, and shared responsibility. In a democratic society, true freedom doesn’t mean unrestricted self-interest, but rather a careful balance of personal freedom and communal responsibility. It’s about recognizing that our actions have consequences that extend beyond ourselves and that for a society to thrive, its members must sometimes set aside their personal interests for the greater good. The ‘price’ of democracy, as the quote says, is this ongoing pursuit of the common good. This is an active, not passive, process. It requires engagement, compromise, and sometimes sacrifice on our part. It is a reminder that in a truly free society, the freedoms of all individuals are interlinked and that our individual freedom is not more important than the collective freedom of all members of the society. It underlines the idea that for democracy to work effectively, every citizen must be a willing participant in the common quest for the common good.
Who said the quote?
The quote “People cannot be free unless they are willing to sacrifice some of their interests to guarantee the freedom of others. The price of democracy is the ongoing pursuit of the common good by all of the people.” was said by Saul Alinsky (Bio / Quotes). Saul Alinsky was an American community organizer and writer who is best known for his book “Rules for Radicals.
Chief Editor
Tal Eyal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.
