I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
Robert Green IngersollRead
Every human being should be taught that his first duty is to take care of himself, and that to be self-respecting he must be self-supporting. To live on the labor of others, either by force which enslaves, or by cunning which robs, or by borrowing or begging, is wholly dishonorable. Every man should be taught some useful art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Self-reliance and personal responsibility are essential for honor and dignity.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency and personal responsibility. Ingersoll argues that individuals should be taught from an early age that taking care of oneself is not just a duty to oneself, but also a matter of respect and honor. Living on the work or generosity of others, whether through force, deceit, or dependence, is portrayed as dishonorable. Therefore, he advocates for the acquisition of useful skills that promote self-support.
Themes
Self-RelianceResponsibilityHonorSelf-SupportPersonal GrowthSkills
In practice
Example use cases
In a self-improvement seminar, to emphasize the need for personal responsibility.
More from Robert Green Ingersoll
All quotes →If the guardians of society, the protectors of 'young persons,' could have had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The voices that thrill the world would now be silent.
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The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.
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There is no slavery but ignorance.
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In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest monuments sleeps the dust of murder.
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I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .
Robert Green IngersollRead
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