La libertà degli antichi, paragonata a quella dei moderni Quotes

“The danger of modern liberty is that, absorbed in the enjoyment of our private independence, and in the pursuit of our particular interests, we should surrender our right to share in political power too easily. The holders of authority are only too anxious to encourage us to do so. They are so ready to spare us all sort of troubles, except those of obeying and paying! They will say to us: what, in the end, is the aim of your efforts, the motive of your labors, the object of all your hopes? Is it not happiness? Well, leave this happiness to us and we shall give it to you. No, Sirs, we must not leave it to them. No matter how touching such a tender commitment may be, let us ask the authorities to keep within their limits. Let them confine themselves to being just. We shall assume the responsibility of being happy for ourselves.”
― Benjamin Constant, La libertà degli antichi, paragonata a quella dei moderni

“La guerre est antérieure au commerce ; car la guerre et le commerce ne sont que deux moyens différents d’atteindre le même but : celui de posséder ce que l’on désire.”
― Benjamin Constant, De la liberté des anciens comparée à celle des modernes