What does The tree of liberty must occasionally be watered with blood mean?

Answer 1

From my understanding of the original quote by Thomas Jefferson, "Occasionally the tree of Liberty must be watered with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants," from time to time, governments must be reminded that the people have the right and the responsibility of protecting their collective liberties and freedoms. The government should fear it's people otherwise it might try to unduly control the people. Jefferson spoke succinctly to this issue. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison spoke in greater depth and more explicitly in "The Federalist Papers."

Another way to look at this is that by saying this, he meant that freedom comes with a price - for both the governed and those who would govern. The blood of tyrants and patriots must be spilled in order to maintain the liberty we have earned as a nation. Tyrants could be foreign or domestic leaders gone astray. Patriots can be the men and women serving their nation in any capacity, who ultimately die or are wounded in the fight to maintain the liberty of their nation.