On Freedom

On account of what it is defined in the Oxford dictionary， freedom can be understood in three aspects， among which we can know the generally accepted one is the state of being free and allowed to do what you want without being restricted by anything or anyone. But no one can deny that other two definitions that the power to do， say， think， or write whatever one wants to， and not being under control because of little value so as to leave them out in the cold.

However， on the one hand， there is a key point we must clearly realize that no matter what form of freedom may be， it should not go against the law that makes our society safe and tranquil. The earliest law we can date back to the ancient time of Xia dynasty is a kind of slavery law. Although the law played an important role in governing the whole nation， it was still characterized by abuse of power. As a result， many innocent people lost their lives due to the cruel law. With the development of society， real freedom comes as an ideal and makes us know what we should do and what we should not do.

On the other hand， freedom does not absolutely mean demand without any condition. As Bernard Shaw says， “Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” Indeed， responsibility is the price that men must pay for freedom. Also， Kennedy’s remarks make it clear that “ask not what your country can do for you， ask what you can do for your country.” It should remind people in different times of the principle to behave themselves. We might as well recall our forerunners who threw themselves bravely into the war against aggressors for freedom. They paid out their courage， wits and lives but never asked what their country could do for them. While in the peaceful time， people who are used to living a comfortable life regard their country as an employer who must pay them for doing her work. Obviously， what they are driving at is benefit， which is the freedom their country is to give them. However， if they are not to give to the country， how can the country be able to give to them？

According to the afore mentioned， different people in different times tell us welfare and freedom can never be gained without paying our responsibility for them. We must recognize the fact that there is no pain， there is no gain. Under no circumstances should we take freedom for granted， it can never survive without responsibility. We cannot be sure whether or not one can enjoy the real freedom， only sure that freedom will be just as natural as the moon mores around the sun.