"La pauvreté en démocratie est autant préférable à la soi-disant prospérité sous despotisme que la liberté l'est à l'esclavage."

Simplified Meaning:

Choosing to live in a fair and free society, even if it means being poor, is better than having wealth in a place where one person rules everything. In a democracy, people have the freedom to make their own choices, speak their minds, and work together to improve their lives. This freedom is worth more than material wealth because it gives people a sense of dignity and control over their destiny. Take, for example, the American Revolution. The colonists fought for independence from British rule, seeking freedom and self-governance over the economic benefits they might have had under British control. Applying this to life, it means valuing personal freedoms and rights over having money and possessions under an oppressive and controlling regime. This way, individuals can strive for a better life without losing their self-respect and freedom.