Thoughts on Liberty from "Les Miserables"

"Just as fires light up the whole city, revolutions light up the whole human race. And what revolution shall we bring about? ... the revolution of the True. From the political point of view, there is one single principle: the sovereignty of man over himself. This sovereignty of myself over myself is called Liberty. Where two or more of these sovereignties associate the state begins. But in this association there is no abdication. Each sovereignty gives up a certain portion of itself to form the common right. That portion is the same for all. This identity of concession that each makes to all, is Equality. The common right is nothing more nor less than the protection of all radiating on the rights of each. This protection of all over each is called Fraternity. The point of intersection of these aggregated sovereignties is called Society. This intersection being a junction, this point is a knot. Hence what is called the Social Tie. Some say the Social Contract which is the same thing, the word contract being etymologically formed with the idea of tie. Let us understand each other in regard to equality, for if Liberty is the summit, Equality is the base. Equality, citizens, is not all vegetation on one level, a society of big blades of grass and little oaks; a neighborhood of jealousies emasculating each other; civilly it is all aptitudes having equal opportunity ; politically, all votes having equal weight; religiously all consciences having equal rights. Equality has an organ: free and compulsory education. The right to the alphabet, we must begin by that. The primary school obligatory for everyone, the higher school offered to everyone, such is the law."
- Enjolras at the Barricade - (Les Miserables by Victor Hugo)