What does this quote mean?

Question

When the Athenians finally asnted not to give to society, but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wishec for was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free - Edward Gibbon

Answer 1

Athenians got lazy about their society -- they felt that they were entitled to its benefits without having to contribute their own efforts to making it work. As they declined to take responsibility for maintaining their society and upholding their freedoms, their civilization weakened and could be overtaken fairly easily by a more disciplined society.
The idea remains salient today that in a democracy, where the power lies with the people, the people have to take responsiblity for its direction and maintenance or the society will weaken and power will become concentrated in the hands of the few who do care (or the system will be taken over by a stronger hand). JFK Jr. got at this idea when he mad his "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" speech exhorting people to become involved in their own government and to give of themselves rather than lying back and expecting to be given what they need.

Answer 2

When you don't want to work and contribute anything or you want to be free of all responsibility, then you are giving up all your rights to have things from society. You have to help yourself if you want to gain anything.