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The spiritual comes into play whenever men seek in freedom something real beyond themselves. To be sure, the grade of spirituality is measured by the object sought, but regardless of this fundamental question of depth and order, wherever men agree in freedom, there is a common bond among them which expresses and engenders spiritual energy. (22)

In general, man is either viewed as wholly derivative from his social and material conditions, including his animal nature, or is regarded as possessing an original human nature which enables him, through reason and freedom, not only to exploit and control his material world, but even to rise above himself. The only proper way of reconciling conflicting interpretations is by viewing them from a higher standpoint, whereby they assume a natural order. This is possible in this case only on the basis of freedom. The philosophies which stress freedom and the spirit are surely able also to give our material needs their proper due; but the philosophies which sink man in the darkness of the subhuman are never able to do justice to freedom. (280)

If we have our rights, God also has His rights over us; and in vain shall we seek our rights until we recognize in all humility the dominion of God over the course of history and of human life. (279)

…the Western World has not so far articulated a sufficiently dynamic message in the economic, social, and cultural field that will fire the imagination of the non-Communist rest of the world. The Communist message in this regard still exerts a strong pull. The problem for the Western world therefore is whether, maintaining and even strengthening its fundamental respect for man and his freedom, which is undoubtedly the most important thing, it can nevertheless summon sufficient boldness of thought and action to convince the rest of the world of its willingness and ability to lead it into an age of plenty, equality and justice. (278)

There exist those who are given and those who give. Only God gives and is simultaneously given; only God gives Himself; however, man does not give himself; he gives from the graces he has been given. He whom that gives man is God. Every human being has been given the possibility of being given and has even been given the substance for being given. (p. 17)

Those who are confident of their existence do not envy others and do not hold feelings of animosity toward those others. Those who are confident of their existence do not want to erase the existence of others. Those who are confident of their existence have their hearts wide-open to the existence of others, and even greet and are delighted and enriched by this existence. (p. 13)

History, as far as it actually exists, by this I mean as far as it is continuous, consistent, and defined, and thus, as far as it is not adulterated, proves the presence of a definite, ever-present, and effective self. (p. 13)

Those who praise God are the faithful and patient people, and not emperors, patriarchs, or clergymen. One does not feel the presence of Cesar-like figure or patriarch, even if this Cesar-like figure or patriarch is present. One feels himself sitting amongst widows and orphans, workers and peasants, sinners and lost souls, and humble spirits. One feels the simple and ordinary man, the one laden with worries who is in touch with the earth and nature, and who knows nothing and does not care to know anything about theology or philosophy, or the glory of the vanishing world. This ordinary man is the one whose heart and soul soar, draws Christ toward him, and receives the immaculate face of the Virgin Mary. (p. 8)

Yet, persuading and being persuaded can only be achieved in a genuine environment of human freedom. Therefore, we realize that freedom cannot be derived or extracted from without. Neither is it manifested in elements to which it is unfamiliar. It is the trunk and branches; it is the beginning and the end. When there is no freedom from the beginning, freedom cannot magically manifest from nothing at the end. From the beginning, you are either free in the quintessence of your existentiality—hence, every aspect of freedom in your life will burst forth from your authentic freedom—or enslaved in the quintessence of your existentiality—hence, every aspect of obscurity and slavery in your life will burst forth from your authentic slavery. (p. 5)

Freedom is a blessing bestowed from above. Freedom cannot be obtained, it is rather bequeathed. Freedom is accepted with gratitude, it is not forcefully taken. Freedom contagiously flows in the veins of free minds. (p. 5)