Our American values are not luxuries but necessities, not the salt in our bread, but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad, greater than the bounty of our material blessings.
Interpretation
American values are essential for society, not just additions.
In this quote, Jimmy Carter emphasizes that the core values of America, such as freedom and justice, are fundamental to the nation's identity and unity. He argues that these values are essential for both domestic cohesion and international strength, surpassing the importance of material wealth that the country may possess.
In practice
In a speech about civic engagement, one might quote this to highlight the importance of shared values.
Acknowledging the physical realities of our planet does not mean a dismal future of endless sacrifice. In fact, acknowledging these realities is the first step in dealing with them. We can meet the resource problems of the world - water, food, minerals, farmlands, forests, overpopulation, pollution - if we tackle them with courage and foresight.
The preeminent obstacle to peace is Israel's colonization of Palestine.
I would say the biggest handicap we have right now is some nutcases in our country that don't believe in global warming. I think they are going to change their position because of pressure from individuals, because the evidence of the ravages of global warming is already there.
If I were president, I'd be very glad to see the Palestinians have a nation recognized by the United Nations. There's no downside to it.
My understanding of racial discrimination as a child was highly distorted because the most prominent man in Archery was an African-American bishop. When he came home from up north, where he was in charge of A.M.E. churches in five states, it was front-page news. He was the most successful man in my life.
There has never been any evidence that the death penalty reduces capital crimes or that crimes increased when executions stopped. Tragic mistakes are prevalent...It is clear that there are overwhelming ethical, financial, and religious reasons to abolish the death penalty.
A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.
I am life that wants to live, in the midst of life that wants to live.
I went to India and was quite taken with it. There's a feeling there that things are holy first and useful second.
Forget Jesus. The stars died so that you could be here today.
Well I won't argue about the matter. You always want to argue about things. That is exactly what things were originally made for.
I condemn false prophets, I condemn the effort to take away the power of rational decision, to drain people of their free will - and a hell of a lot of money in the bargain. Religions vary in their degree of idiocy, but I reject them all. For most people, religion is nothing more than a substitute for a malfunctioning brain.
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