“Freedom exalts power; and, as is always the collateral effect of increasing strength, tends to induce a spirit of liberality. Coercion stifles power, and engenders all selfish desires, and all the mean artifices of weakness. Coercion may prevent many transgressions; but it robs even actions which are legal of a portion of their beauty. Freedom may lead to many transgressions, but it lends even to vices a less ignoble form.”

— Wilhelm Von Humboldt

Source: The Limits of State Action (1792), Ch. 8

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Wilhelm Von Humboldt 35

German (Prussian) philosopher, government functionary, dipl… 1767–1835

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Wilhelm Von Humboldt 35

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