I anticipate the Day when to command Respect in the remotest Regions it will be sufficient to say I am an American.
Interpretation
The quote expresses pride in American identity and the universal respect it commands.
Benjamin Rush highlights the intrinsic value of American citizenship, suggesting that being identified as an American should be enough to garner respect anywhere in the world. This reflects a belief in the ideals and values associated with America and a hope for a future where those values are recognized universally.
In practice
During a speech on patriotism, one might use this quote to emphasize national pride.
...This large and expensive stock of drugs will be unnecessary. By...doses of...medicines...multiplying...combining them properly, 20 to 30 articles, aided by the common resources of the lancet, a garden, a kitchen, fresh air, cool water, exercise, will be sufficient to cure all the diseases that are at present under the power of medicine.
The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life...The Bible...should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.
The gospel of Jesus Christ prescribes the wisest rules for just conduct in every situation in life. Happy they who are enabled to obey them in all situations!
Dissections daily convince us of our ignorance of the seats of diseases, and cause us to blush at our prescriptions. How often are we disappointed in our expectation from the most certain and powerful of our remedies, by the negligence or obstinacy of our patients! What mischief have we done under the belief of false facts and false theories! We have assisted in multiplying diseases. We have done more β we have increased their mortality.
Temperate, sincere, and intelligent inquiry and discussion are only to be dreaded by the advocates of error. The truth need not fear them.
The art of healing is like an unroofed temple, uncovered at the top and cracked at the foundation.
In analysing history do not be too profound, for often the causes are quite superficial.
In this culture the soul and the heart too often go homeless. Listening creates a holy silence. When you listen generously to people, they can hear the truth in themselves, often for the first time. And in the silence of listening, you can know yourself in everyone. Eventually you may be able to hear, in everyone and beyond everyone, the unseen singing softly to itself and to you.
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!
Anxiety is the beginning of conscience, which is the parent of the soul but is not compatible with innocence.
They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society.
Occasionally the conflict between 'what we stand for' and 'what we do' has been forthrightly addressed.
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