Freedom or Safety?

I thought it strange the other day when I passed through some usual narrow alley that habitually barking dog never did it to me just watching with a vacant eye. A few days later found him or her lay down on the ground covered with a piece of cloth, probably he or she might have been in bad health condition as not bark to me. Waking a few meters distance, a rusted dog chain was there untouched for a long time, probably the outcome should be the same. Both of them had some proof to be nourished without starvation but with tight iron chain on neck bound their freedom, then I thought which would be happier for a dog in different living circumstances reflecting my own life on them?
Which to choose, Freedom or Stable but Chained daily life?