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I have never conceived that having been in public life required me to belie my sentiments, or to conceal them. Opinion and the just maintenance of it shall never be a crime in my view, nor bring injury on the individual. I never will by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance. I never had an opinion in politics or religion which I was afraid to own; a reserve on these subjects might have procured me more esteem from some people, but less from myself.
Thomas Jefferson
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of standing by one's beliefs in public life without fear of judgment.

Thomas Jefferson asserts that honesty in one’s sentiments, particularly regarding politics and religion, is paramount. He rejects the notion that concealing one's opinions for the sake of public approval is acceptable, stating that maintaining integrity and being true to oneself is of greater value than seeking the esteem of others. Jefferson believes that genuine expression of opinion should never be deemed a crime and emphasizes the importance of resisting intolerance.

Themes

IntegrityBeliefsPublic LifeOpinionIntolerance

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of individuality in political discourse.

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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.
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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.
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A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
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Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
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