Benjamin Constant Quotes
Henri-Benjamin Constant de Rebecque was a Swiss-French political philosopher, novelist, and statesman and one of the founding theorists of modern liberalism. After an erratic early career and a long and famous association with Madame de Stael, he served in the French legislature under the Restoration and the July Monarchy. The quotes below are attributed to Benjamin Constant, organized by topic.
Benjamin Constant on Freedom
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Attributed to Benjamin Constant:
“The liberty of the ancients was the active sharing in collective sovereignty; the liberty of the moderns is the security of private enjoyments.”
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Attributed to Benjamin Constant:
“The variety of opinion is at least as necessary as the variety of bread.”
Benjamin Constant on God
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Attributed to Benjamin Constant:
“Religion accompanies man through the storms of life.”
Benjamin Constant on Politics
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Attributed to Benjamin Constant:
“Modern man can no longer be a citizen in the ancient sense.”
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Attributed to Benjamin Constant:
“Government has no right except for the maintenance of order.”