The more liberty you give away the more you will have.

In this quote, Robert Green Ingersoll suggests that true liberty is not diminished by sharing or extending it to others. Rather, by giving away freedom, individuals and societies actually enhance the collective sense of liberty. Ingersoll implies that freedom is not a finite resource; the more it is spread and shared, the more it grows, benefiting everyone. This statement promotes the idea that a society in which freedom is extended to all will experience more freedom in the long run.

Ingersoll’s view of liberty contrasts with the common perception that it must be guarded or restricted to maintain its value. Instead, he believes that when freedom is granted to others, it creates a stronger, more equitable society, where everyone has the opportunity to express themselves, make choices, and live without undue restrictions. This philosophy aligns with Ingersoll’s broader humanistic beliefs in individual rights, equality, and justice.

The quote also highlights Ingersoll’s commitment to progressive ideals. As a prominent activist and orator in the 19th century, Ingersoll was known for advocating for civil rights, religious freedom, and women’s suffrage. He saw freedom as a means of advancing societal progress, arguing that it should be expanded to include all people, regardless of their background or beliefs. By giving liberty to others, he believed that society would ultimately benefit through greater diversity, creativity, and innovation.

Ultimately, Ingersoll’s quote serves as a call to action for those who might fear that granting freedom to others might somehow limit their own. Instead, it proposes that freedom is a collective force that grows when it is shared, and that the true measure of liberty lies in how much is extended to others. Through generosity and the extension of freedom, society can create an environment where everyone benefits from greater autonomy and self-expression.