On Liberty

I am thoroughly convinced that liberty is of major importance.  But I am also thoroughly convinced that it is difficult to maintain.  Without a doubt, liberty requires an ordered society because liberty can be one step away from chaos and anarchy if society is not well-ordered.  I love liberty.  Liberty has made this country great.  Below are three quotes from three philosophers who have influenced my views of liberty

 "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."   Bishop Joseph Butler   (1692-1752) English bishop, theologian, apologist, and philosopher

"By the side of these religious men I discern others whose looks are turned to the earth more than to Heaven; they are the partisans of liberty, not only as the source of the noblest virtues, but more especially as the root of all solid advantages; and they sincerely desire to extend its sway, and to impart its blessings to mankind. It is natural that they should hasten to invoke the assistance of religion, for they must know that liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith; but they have seen religion in the ranks of their adversaries, and they inquire no further; some of them attack it openly, and the remainder are afraid to defend it."         Alexis de Tocqueville     (1805-1859) French historian

"The only liberty that is valuable is a liberty connected with order; that not only exists along with order and virtue, but which cannot exist at all without them. It inheres in good and steady government, as in its substance and vital principle."   
 Edmund Burke(1729-1797) Irish-born British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political thinker