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Full Idea
Liberty is the power of choice within the latitude left between the direct constraint of natural forces and the authority accepted as legitimate.
Gist of Idea
We have liberty in the space between nature and accepted authority
Source
Simone Weil (Draft Statement of Human Obligations [1943], p.228)
Book Ref
Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.228
A Reaction
Accepting legitimate authority is a nicely softened version of the social contract. We often find that the office and rank are accepted as legitimate, but then are unable to accept the appalling individual who holds the office.