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.
In politics I am growing indifferent - I would like it, if I could now return to my planting and books at home
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a desire to disengage from the complexities of politics and return to simpler, more fulfilling pursuits like gardening and reading.
Ulysses S. Grant's quote reflects a common sentiment of exhaustion with political affairs and a yearning for a return to more peaceful and personally satisfying activities. It highlights the contrast between the often tumultuous nature of politics and the tranquility found in hobbies such as planting and reading, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment over public life.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, one could use this quote to emphasize the desire for individuals to focus on personal passions instead of divisive politics.
More from Ulysses S. Grant
All quotes βHold 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.
Similar quotes
No nobler feeling than this, of admiration for one higher than himself, dwells in the breast of man. It is to this hour, and at all hours, the vivifying influence in man's life.
Madness, mayhem, erotic vandalism, devastation of innumerable souls - while we scream and perish, History licks a finger and turns the page.
All lies are told with a straight face. It is truth that's said with a dismissive giggle.
Last year, Americans spent $450 billion on Christmas. Clean water for the whole world, including every poor person on the planet would cost about $20 billion. Let's just call that what it is: A material blasphemy of the Christmas season.
You don't understand, you fool' says Yegor, looking dreamily up at the sky. 'You've never understood what kind of person I am, nor will you in a million years... You just think I'm a mad person who has thrown his life away... Once the free spirit has taken hold of a man, there's no way of getting it out of him.
The laws of chess do not permit a free choice: you have to move whether you like it or not.