I learned this back in the 7th grade. Today, freedoms are taken for granted.
"In the end, more than freedom they wanted security. They wanted a comfortable life, and they lost it all -- security, comfort, and freedom. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when freedom they wished for most was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free and never was free again."
-- Edward Gibbons
You're right, and I hope we're not becoming Athens.