To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom - and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.
Interpretation
Wisdom requires the freedom to think freely, and public liberty relies on the freedom to express those thoughts.
This quote emphasizes the essential link between freedom of thought and wisdom, suggesting that the ability to think independently is crucial for acquiring knowledge and understanding. Additionally, it highlights that public liberty is fundamentally dependent on free speech, implying that a society cannot truly be free if individuals are not allowed to express their ideas and opinions openly.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of free speech in a democratic society, you might quote this to emphasize your point.
To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions, and spend one penny less than thy clear gains; then shall thy pocket begin to thrive; creditors will not insult, nor want oppress, nor hungerness bite, nor nakedness freeze thee
I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal. Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.
Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.
I learned from my mom and dad, who didn't have a formal education but had doctorates of love. They told me that if you gave 110 percent all the time, a lot of beautiful things will happen. I may not always be right, but no one can ever accuse me of not having a genuine love and passion for whatever I do.
What you have lost will not be returned to you; it always be lost. Youβre left with only your scars to mark the void. All you can choose to do is go on, or not. But if you go on, itβs knowing you carry your scars with you.
Meditation is object-less. If you use any object, then it is not meditation; it becomes thinking. It becomes contemplation; it becomes reflection, but not meditation. This is the most essential point to be understood. This is the essence of a meditative state: that it is object-less. Only consciousness is there, but not conscious ABOUT anything. Consciousness without being conscious of anything - this is the nature of meditation.
. . .There are moments when time does stop. We must be alert enough to notice such moments . . .
It is important that man dreams, but it is perhaps equally important that he can laugh at his own dreams.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.