I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.
Thomas JeffersonRead
Even when you err, it is a thousand times better to err out of conviction than to hide your true opinion to respect some authority.
Interpretation
It's better to express your genuine beliefs, even if they're wrong, than to suppress them to please others.
This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal conviction in one’s beliefs and opinions. It suggests that making mistakes while being true to oneself is far more valuable than conforming to societal pressures or authority figures by hiding one’s true thoughts. By advocating for honesty and integrity, it promotes the idea that personal growth and understanding can arise from our errors and misunderstandings.
In practice
During a debate, you can quote this to emphasize the importance of standing by your beliefs.
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.
The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving.
I'm very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That's my cultural historical background, my genetic make-up, but it's not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.
The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw.
The search for scapegoats is essentially an abnegation of responsibility: it indicates an inability to assess honestly and intelligently the true nature of the problems which lie at the root of social and economic difficulties and a lack of resolve in grappling with them.
There are some who lack confidence in the integrity and capacity of the people to govern themselves. To all who entertain such fears I will most respectfully say that I entertain none. If man is not capable, and is not to be trusted with the government of himself, is he to be trusted with the government of others? Who, then, will govern? The answer must be, Man - for we have no angels in the shape of men, as yet, who are willing to take charge of our political affairs.
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