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
Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) German philologist, diplomat
The Limits of State Action, ch. 8 (1792) [tr. Coulthard (1854)]

 
Added on 24-Aug-10 | Last updated 24-Aug-10
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