Original artwork, not a still
Political Essays ‧ 1819
The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The speaker contrasts two appetites: wanting freedom is a concern for other people, while wanting power is self-regard. Liberty, on this view, is generous because it wishes others to be free, whereas power-seeking centres on one's own gain and standing.
Context reviewed
