The Most Perfect Freedom Consists in Obeying the Dictates of Right Reason and Submitting to Natural Law

Samuel West

“The most perfect freedom consists in obeying the dictates of right reason, and submitting to Natural Law. When a man goes beyond or contrary to the Law of Nature and reason, he becomes the slave of base passions and vile lusts; he introduces confusion and disorder into society, and brings misery and destruction upon himself. This, therefore, cannot be called a state of freedom, but a state of the vilest slavery and the most dreadful bondage.” — Samuel West (1776). A Patriot Pastor and a Chaplain in the Continental Army, the Reverend Samuel West  (March 3, 1730-September 24, 1807) was a graduate of Harvard College, a member of the committee to frame the Constitution of Massachusetts, and a member of the ratifying Convention to adopt the U.S. Constitution.