The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them, they cannot love us.
Interpretation
Understanding and addressing the consequences of past injustices is essential for healthy relationships.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson emphasizes the importance of justice in relationships, particularly in the context of historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples. Jefferson acknowledges that after causing harm, invoking fear rather than love is an inadequate foundation for conduct, highlighting the need for reconciliation and fairness to build meaningful relationships.
In practice
During a discussion on racial reconciliation, this quote can remind participants of the importance of justice in healing relationships.
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
βWe 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.
The most important value I've taught my children is respect for every creed, colour or race. When we bleed, we bleed the same blood. I've always taught my kids never to look down on anyone or to not have anyone look down on them.
Familiarity seems to breed contempt
I have two friends named Matt. They're both scouts in the cavalry. They both served in the same section of Iraq. They both worked with the same Iraqi translator. And yet, if you talk to them, their stories couldn't be more different, because one was there in 2006. One was there in 2008.
If I am constantly working, my relationships fail. So at least now I can have enough time to write a happy record. And be in love and be happy.
Maybe times are never strange to women: it is just one continuous monotonous thing full of the repeated follies of their menfolks.
When a marriage founders, this may well be cause for tremendous sadness, but it's not a failure of spirit or character. People change, their goals and dreams alter, their ideas of themselves grow, or they just meet someone they like better.
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