I am entirely persuaded that the agitations of the public mind advance its powers, and that at every vibration between the points of liberty and despotism, something will be gained for the former. As men become better informed, their rulers must respect them the more.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that public discourse enhances society's strength and that informed citizens compel their leaders to be more respectful.
Thomas Jefferson's quote emphasizes the importance of public awareness and engagement in a democracy. He argues that as the populace becomes more enlightened, their demands for liberty increase, ultimately pushing society toward more freedom and respect from those in power. This notion points to the idea that ongoing discourse and agitation in society serve as catalysts for positive change, contributing to the evolution of governance towards greater liberty.
In practice
During a discussion on the importance of voting, this quote can highlight the need for an informed electorate.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
Some reasonable term ought to be allowed to enable aliens to get rid of foreign and acquire American attachments; to learn the principles and imbibe the spirit of our government; and to admit of a probability at least, of their feeling a real interest in our affairs.
My favorite: Spirituality is a domain of awareness.
One of Satan's greatest tools is pride: to cause a man or a woman to center so much attention on self that he or she becomes insensitive to his Creator or fellow beings. It is a cause for discontent, divorce, teenage rebellion, family indebtedness, and most other problems we face.
I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake.
America didn’t bypass or escape civilization. It did something far more profound, far cleverer: it simply changed what civilization could be.
A man's intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.
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