Liberty is not merely a privilege to be conferred; it is a habit to be acquired.

Meaning of the quote

Liberty is not just something someone gives you. It's something you have to work on and get used to having. You can't just be given freedom - you have to learn how to use it responsibly. This quote means that being free is not a special treat, but a way of life that you have to practice and make a part of who you are.

About David Lloyd George

David Lloyd George, the last Liberal Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, led the country during the First World War and negotiated the establishment of the Irish Free State. He was known for his social reforms and radical Liberal ideas, including support for Welsh devolution and disestablishment of the Church of England in Wales.

More about the author

More quotes from David Lloyd George

We are muddled into war.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

The finest eloquence is that which gets things done.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

Liberty is not merely a privilege to be conferred; it is a habit to be acquired.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

What do you want to be a sailor for? There are greater storms in politics than you will ever find at sea. Piracy, broadsides, blood on the decks. You will find them all in politics.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

Once blood is shed in a national quarrel reason and right are swept aside by the rage of angry men.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

What is our task? To make Britain a fit country for heroes to live in.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

You cannot feed the hungry on statistics.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

He has sat on the fence so long that the iron has entered his soul.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

Liberty has restraints but no frontiers.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

There is nothing so fatal to character as half finished tasks.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

The most dangerous thing in the world is to try to leap a chasm in two jumps.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

Diplomats were invented simply to waste time.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

With me a change of trouble is as good as a vacation.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

A young man who isn’t a socialist hasn’t got a heart; an old man who is a socialist hasn’t got a head.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated. You can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922

A politician is a person with whose politics you don’t agree; if you agree with him he’s a statesman.

David Lloyd George

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922