Classic Meaning of Liberalism

Based on the provided search results, the classic meaning of liberal refers to a political ideology that emerged in the early 19th century. It emphasizes:

Protection of individual liberty: Limiting government power to ensure individual freedom and autonomy.
Economic freedom: Advocating for free market principles and laissez-faire economics, with a focus on property rights and limited government intervention in economic affairs.
Rule of law: Upholding the principle of the rule of law, where individuals are protected by a fair and impartial legal system.
Limited government: Believing that government should be minimal and only intervene when necessary, with a focus on providing public goods and services rather than regulating individual behavior.

In the 19th century, classical liberalism was often referred to as “economic liberalism” before being distinguished from social liberalism in the early 20th century. This distinction highlights the differences between classical liberalism’s focus on economic freedom and social liberalism’s emphasis on social welfare and government intervention.

Key characteristics:

Favors individual autonomy and limited government intervention
Advocates for free market principles and laissez-faire economics
Emphasizes the protection of individual liberty and property rights
Supports the rule of law and a fair legal system

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Robert Heinlein

"Do not confuse "duty" with what other people expect of you; they are utterly different. Duty is a debt you owe to yourself to fulfill obligations you have assumed voluntarily. Paying that debt can entail anything from years of patient work to instant willingness to die. Difficult it may be, but the reward is self-respect.

But there is no reward at all for doing what other people expect of you, and to do so is not merely difficult, but impossible. It is easier to deal with a footpad than it is with the leech who wants "just a few minutes of your time, please — this won't take long." Time is your total capital, and the minutes of your life are painfully few. If you allow yourself to fall into the vice of agreeing to such requests, they quickly snowball to the point where these parasites will use up 100 percent of your time — and squawk for more!
So learn to say No — and to be rude about it when necessary.
Otherwise you will not have time to carry out your duty, or to do your own work, and certainly no time for love and happiness. The termites will nibble away your life and leave none of it for you.

(This rule does not mean that you must not do a favor for a friend, or even a stranger. But let the choice be yours. Don't do it because it is "expected" of you.)"