Eternal vigilance

If the justice fails vigilantes taking matters of justice in their own hands  ... "
Charles Lynch



taking matters of justice in own hands
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vig·i·lan·te
/;vij;;lan(t);/
noun
noun: vigilante; plural noun: vigilantes

AI Overview
The famous saying "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" means that in order to protect freedom, citizens must be constantly watchful for threats from those who seek to concentrate power. Though it is often incorrectly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the sentiment evolved over time from different sources.
Origin of the quote
The quote in its modern form was popularized by American abolitionist Wendell Phillips, but variations existed before his time.
John Philpot Curran (1790): Irish lawyer and politician John Philpot Curran is considered the originator of the sentiment. In a speech, he said, "The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime, and the punishment of his guilt".
Wendell Phillips (1852): Speaking to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Phillips used the phrasing most familiar today. He explained that popular liberty must be "gathered each day or it is rotten" and is maintained through "unintermitted agitation".
Frederick Douglass (1848): The abolitionist leader also used a version of the phrase, framing it as "the price of liberty is eternal vigilance".
Thomas Jefferson (incorrect attribution): The quote is widely but mistakenly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, who is not known to have ever used the phrase. His name became associated with it due to early news reports making the error.
Meaning and modern relevance
The core meaning of the phrase remains relevant and is applicable to many aspects of life, from politics to personal integrity.
Guarding against threats: The saying recognizes that liberty is not a static state, but a fragile accomplishment that requires constant effort to maintain. There will always be individuals or groups seeking to seize or consolidate power.
Personal and political application: The "vigilance" can refer to a citizen's duty to stay informed and engage with their government, but it can also be seen on a personal level, as in Aldous Huxley's variation: "The price of liberty, and even of common humanity, is eternal vigilance".
Historical validation: Historical events, such as attempts to destroy a nation's culture and heritage during wartime, have been cited as evidence of the quote's relevance.
Examples of its use
Inscriptions and memorials: The quote is inscribed on the James Earle Fraser sculpture Guardianship on the grounds of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Art and literature: In 1945, artist Rockwell Kent created a lithograph titled "Eternal Vigilance Is the Price of Liberty," emphasizing that liberty requires protection.
Modern commentary: Journalists and commentators frequently use the quote to highlight the need for watchfulness in a democracy, including against government overreach or foreign hacking.


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taking matters of justice in own hands
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vig·i·lan·te
/;vij;;lan(t);/
noun
noun: vigilante; plural noun: vigilantes
a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.
Origin

mid 19th century: from Spanish, literally ‘vigilant’.
Use over time for: vigilante

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