Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the responsibilities that come with the privileges of living in a free society.
Ulysses S. Grant's quote reflects the idea that while citizens of a republic benefit from its freedoms and protections, they must also acknowledge and uphold the responsibilities that accompany such blessings. It calls upon individuals to recognize that the rights afforded to them come with an obligation to contribute to the community and safeguard the values represented by their nation.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about civic engagement and the importance of community service.
The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and poor country; their facilities for educating their children, even up to the point of reading and writing, were very limited; their interest in the contest was very meagre--what there was, if they had been capable of seeing it, was with the North; they too needed emancipation.
Hold fast to the Bible. To the influence of this Book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization and to this we must look as our guide in the future.
Let us labor for the security of free thought, free speech, pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and equal rights and privileges for all men, irrespective of nationality, color, or religion;.... leave the matter of religious teaching to the family altar, the church, and the private school, supported entirely by private contribution. Keep church and state forever separate.
When news of the surrender first reached our lines our men commenced firing a salute of a hundred guns in honor of the victory. I at once sent word, however, to have it stopped. The Confederates were now our prisoners, and we did not want to exult over their downfall.
I have made it a rule of my life to trust a man long after other people gave him up, but I don't see how I can ever trust any human being again.
A hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better. I am not that kind of person, but I want you to be. You could give something to her, to me, to those children in the quarter. You could give something I never could ... The white people out there are saying you don't have it-that you're a hog, not a man. But I know they are wrong.
In religion all words are dirty words. Anybody who gets eloquent about Buddha, or God, or Christ, ought to have his mouth washed out with carbolic soap.
The secret was such an old one now, had so grown into me and become a part of myself, that I could not tear it away.
I suppose that every one of us hopes secretly for immortality; to leave, I mean, a name behind him which will live forever in this world, whatever he may be doing, himself, in the next.
Life is the farce we are all forced to endure.
I lived, while 1 1/2 million Jewish children died. So I have an obligation to repair the world.
This is the great lesson that we are here to learn through myriads of births and heavens and hells - that there is nothing to be asked for, desired for, beyond one's spiritual Self (atman).
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.