Just came across an apt quotation for our times by William Pitt (the younger) from a speech in the House of Commons (November 18, 1783):

“Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.”

Pitt made this statement at a time when Britain had been at war for many years (they had only just signed the Treaty of Paris with US in September 1783). Interesting to think that the UK and US were enemies once.