The flames kindled on the Fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the unstoppable spread of freedom and democracy that began with the American Revolution, suggesting that oppressive regimes cannot suppress it.
In this quote, Thomas Jefferson reflects on the significance of the American Revolution, symbolized by the flames of liberty ignited on July 4, 1776. He asserts that the ideals of freedom and democracy that emerged from this pivotal event have gained global momentum and cannot be silenced by authoritarian powers. Rather than quenching this fire, despotism will ultimately be consumed by it, highlighting a belief in the inevitable triumph of liberty over tyranny.
In practice
This quote can be used during a speech commemorating Independence Day to emphasize the ongoing struggle for freedom.
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.
You have to know how to evolve with age without trying to hang on to your younger image of yourself from the past.
You can't change your past but you can change you destiny but deciding for Christ.
Changing communities and changing our country is going to last a lot longer than how many footballs you catch or how many touchdowns you make.
Black Lives Matter is one iteration of a much larger struggle to fight for black people's freedom.
'Me Too' became the way to succinctly and powerfully connect with other people and give people permission to start their journey to heal.
Investing in women's lives is an investment in sustainable development, in human rights, in future generations - and consequently in our own long-term national interests.
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