Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
It is important to do so; "essential liberty" and "temporary safety" are not the same as "liberty" and "safety".
Freedom of speech is an essential liberty. The #1 most essential liberty, to allow science, progress and democracy
As another note, don't forget to consider the second element- "temporary safety". If the safety purchased by showing greater deference to militant Islamism is not temporary, the quote is not applicable.
I am not arguing that this is the case, merely reminding to think critically- his quote was very specific, and it aggravates me when people abuse it without a moment's thought.
Anyway, I know what I believe, but I don't have the material to make a case right now, so that is all.
Writing style has changed over the centuries, to me this reads like he's also reminding us that liberty is essential, and safety is temporary - and that it always must be so.
Ok, you can be nit-picky and argue that no safety is truly timeless, but in that context the word "temporary" loses all meaning, as everything is temporary. Safety that lasts generations or for the duration of nations is clearly distinct from safety that lasts a season.
What liberty isn't essential?
Perhaps liberties that necessarily infringe on other people's liberties?