We seem to have forgotten that the expression “a liberal education” originally meant among the Romans one worthy of free men; while the learning of trades and professions by which to get your livelihood merely, was considered worthy of slaves only.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer

Speech (1860-07-04), “The Last days of John Brown,” North Elba, Massachusetts
    (Source)

Collected in A Yankee in Canada (1866).