Synthesized answer
Polonius explains that "taints of liberty" are faults that can be presented as "the flash and out-breake of a fiery minde, / A sauagenes in vnreclaim'd bloud of generall assault" [1]. He suggests that these are "wanton, wild, and vsuall slips, / As are Companions noted and most knowne / To youth and liberty" [1]. Examples given by Polonius include gaming, drinking, fencing, swearing, quarreling, and drabbing [1].
Essentially, Polonius means that minor transgressions or immature behaviors, particularly those associated with young men, can be framed as characteristic of a spirited and unrestrained youth, rather than as serious moral failings [1]. The passages do not provide a more detailed definition of what constitutes "liberty" in this context beyond these youthful "slips" and "faults."
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
now his father and his friends, And in part him. Doe you marke this Reynoldo? Reynol. I, very well my Lord Polon. And in part him, but you may say not well; But if't be hee I meane, hees very wilde; Addicted so and so; and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so ranke, As may dishonour him; take heed of that: But Sir, such wanton, wild, and vsuall slips, As are Companions noted and most knowne To youth and liberty Reynol. As gaming my Lord Polon. I, or drinking, fencing, swearing, Quarelling, drabbing. You may goe so farre Reynol. My Lord…
tate. And therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body, Whereof he is the Head. Then if he sayes he loues you, It fits your wisedome so farre to beleeue it; As he in his peculiar Sect and force May giue his saying deed: which is no further, Then the maine voyce of Denmarke goes withall. Then weight what losse your Honour may sustaine, If with too credent eare you list his Songs; Or lose your Heart; or your chast Treasure open To his vnmastred importunity. Feare it Ophelia, feare it my deare Sister, And keepe within the reare of your…
re most imminent. Be wary then, best safety lies in feare; Youth to it selfe rebels, though none else neere Ophe. I shall th' effect of this good Lesson keepe, As watchmen to my heart: but good my Brother Doe not as some vngracious Pastors doe, Shew me the steepe and thorny way to Heauen; Whilst like a puft and recklesse Libertine Himselfe, the Primrose path of dalliance treads, And reaks not his owne reade Laer. Oh, feare me not. Enter Polonius. I stay too long; but here my Father comes: A double blessing is a double grace; Occasion smiles vpon a second leaue …
Writ, and the Liberty. These are the onely men Ham. O Iephta Iudge of Israel, what a Treasure had'st thou? Pol. What a Treasure had he, my Lord? Ham. Why one faire Daughter, and no more, The which he loued passing well Pol. Still on my Daughter Ham. Am I not i'th' right old Iephta? Polon. If you call me Iephta my Lord, I haue a daughter that I loue passing well Ham. Nay that followes not Polon. What followes then, my Lord? Ha. Why, As by lot, God wot: and then you know, It came to passe, as most like it was: The first rowe of the Pons Chanson will shew you…
hatch't, vnfledg'd Comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrell: but being in Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee. Giue euery man thine eare; but few thy voyce: Take each mans censure; but reserue thy iudgement: Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy; But not exprest in fancie; rich, not gawdie: For the Apparell oft proclaimes the man. And they in France of the best ranck and station, Are of a most select and generous cheff in that. Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For lone oft loses both it selfe and friend: And borrowing duls the edge of Husbandry. This aboue all; to thine…