Quote#Freedom
The possession of arms is the distinction of a freeman from a slave.…
Quote byAndrew Fletcher · 1655–1716
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: A Discourse of Government relating to Militias.
English (original)
The possession of arms is the distinction of a freeman from a slave. He who has nothing, and belongs to another, must be defended by him, and needs no arms: but he who thinks he is his own master, and has any thing he may call his own, ought to have arms to defend himself and what he possesses, or else he lives precariously and at discretion. p. 307
— Andrew Fletcher
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