There are many things that we think we understand very well, but when we are asked to provide an actual definition, we struggle to come up with the right words. For example, what is an apple? We all can identify an apple, but what is the actual definition of an apple? What makes an apple different from an Asian pear? What makes it different from an orange? How would you describe an apple to someone who had never seen one before so that they could imagine the smell, the shape, the size, and the taste?

There are two different conditions under which we may find it almost impossible to understand a concept. The first is that it has never been a part of our life. The other, ironically, is something that has always been a part of your life, something that is so much a part of your life that you cannot define it or separate it from your everyday experiences. Does a fish know what water is? 

Having always lived with liberty, how can we really understand what it is? We could look up a definition. The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines natural liberty as the “power of acting as one sees fit” and civil liberty as “liberty of men in a state of society, or natural liberty so far only abridged and restrained, as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation.” But do these definitions capture the essence of liberty, the captivating draw that makes men and women willing to sacrifice their very lives so that others may enjoy the blessings of liberty?

We could also slow down and take a deep look at our lives and try to understand the effects of liberty in our day to day life. The list of the blessings that are ours due to living in an environment of liberty could go on and on! Our ability to understand the impact of liberty on our lives will be enhanced by taking a look at what life looks like under tyranny. There are excellent books that chronicle life without liberty. A well-told story can allow us to feel the emotions generated by tyranny and liberty.

Another excellent option is to actually hear the stories of individuals who have lived under a different system of government, people who understand liberty because they have not always “swam” in it. The person who understands liberty the very best may be one who has experienced tyranny and then experienced liberty.