But discovering freedom is not like discovering computers. It cannot be discovered once for all. If people do not prize it, and work for it, it will go. Constant watch is its price. Athens changed. It was a change that took place without being noticed though it was of the extreme importance, a spiritual change which affected the whole state. It had been the Athenian’ s pride and joy to give to their city. That they could get material benefits from her never entered their minds. There had to be a complete change of attitude before they could look at the city as an employer who paid her citizens for doing her work. Now instead of men giving to the state, the state was to give to them. What the people wanted was a government which would provide a comfortable life for them; and with this as the primary object, ideas of freedom and self-reliance and responsibility were neglected to the point of disappearing. Athens was more and more looked on as a cooperative business possessed of great wealth in which all citizens had a right to share.

　　Athens reached the point when the freedom she really wanted was freedom from responsibility. There could be only one result. If men insisted on being free from the burden of self-dependence and responsibility for the common good, they would cease to be free. Responsibility is the price every man must pay for freedom. It is to be had on no other terms. Athens, the Athens of Ancient Greece, refused responsibility; she reached the end of freedom and was never to have it again.

【近三年高考（2017-2016）英语试题分项版解析：专题15 社会生活、说理议论类（原卷版）】相关文章：

★ 山西省永济市涑北中学高三英语总复习：美文欣赏（2）（Dad’s Gift）

★ 2017年高考英语二轮复习精品资料：专题14 阅读理解（教学案）（原卷版）

★ 2014届高考英语一轮复习必修1参考答案（外研版）

★ 2013高考英语冲刺-专项篇 3阅读理解

★ 湖南省长沙县实验中学2016届高三英语二轮复习书面表达复习重点话题指导专题11 青少年成长话题指导（教师版）

★ 湖南省长沙县实验中学2016届高三英语二轮复习书面表达复习重点话题指导专题10 旅游探险类话题指导（学生版）

★ 湖南省长沙县实验中学2016届高三英语二轮复习书面表达复习重点话题指导专题02 报道评论话题指导（学生版）

★ 2014届高考英语一轮复习课时作业(八)必修2Module 2《No Drugs》（外研版）

★ 2017年高考英语二轮复习精品资料：专题15 完形填空（教学案）（原卷版）

★ 2014届高考英语一轮复习课时作业(九)必修2Module 3《Music》（外研版）