Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is greatest who does the most of good. Nearly all of our controversies and combats grow out of the fact that we are trying to get something from each other--there will be peace when our aim is to do something for each other. The human measure of a human life is its income; the divine measure of a life is its outgo, its overflow--its contribution to the welfare of all.
Behold a republic standing erect while empires all around are bowed beneath the weight of their own armaments - a republic whose flag is loved while other flags are only feared.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the strength and moral superiority of a republic compared to empires that rely on fear and military power.
William Jennings Bryan contrasts the resilience and integrity of a republic with the fragility of empires that have become overburdened by their own military might. He suggests that a republic stands proud and is respected for its values, whereas empires, despite their dominance, are ultimately weakened by their reliance on fear and intimidation. This distinction emphasizes the idea that true strength lies in the admiration and love of a nation's ideals rather than in the coercion of its people.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for democracy, you might reference this quote to illustrate the virtues of a republic.
More from William Jennings Bryan
All quotes →Our government, conceived in liberty and purchased with blood, can be preserved only by constant vigilance. May we guard it as our children's richest legacy, for what shall it profit our nation if it shall gain the whole world and lose “the spirit that prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere”?
If we steal a man's purse we are thieves. If we steal twelve hundred islands we are patriots. If you steal a man's money you will be sent to the penitentiary. If you steal his liberty you will be sent to the White House.
This is not a contest between persons. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. I come to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty - the cause of humanity.
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
Two people in a conversation amount to four people talking. The four are what one person says, what he really wanted to say, what his listener heard, and what he thought he heard.
Similar quotes
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.
Our politics are our deepest form of expression: they mirror our past experiences and reflect our dreams and aspirations for the future.
A great state is a well-blended mash of something of all the people and all of none of the people. The liquor of statecraft is distilled from the mash you got.
And I'm not apolitical - I'm very specific in my politics. But a lot of the time it's nobody's business unless you're over at my house having dinner.
I am a freeman, an American, a United States Senator, and a Democrat, in that order.
Our government rests in public opinion. Whoever can change public opinion, can change the government, practically just so much.