Bodily decay is gloomy in prospect, but of all human contemplations the most abhorrent is body without mind.
Interpretation
The deterioration of the body is sad, but a body without an active mind is even more disturbing.
In this quote, Thomas Jefferson reflects on the inevitable decay of the human body, recognizing it as a natural and gloomy aspect of life. However, he emphasizes that the true horror lies in the prospect of a body that exists devoid of a functioning mind, suggesting that our mental faculties and consciousness are what give life its true value and meaning.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of mental health and well-being.
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.
Canada will be a strong country when Canadians of all provinces feel at home in all parts of the country, and when they feel that all Canada belongs to them.
And if you can't shape your life the way you want, at least try as much as you can not to degrade it.
A man's most open actions have a secret side to them.
Londoners say, 'We're so proud of our diversity and tolerance,' but what if that diversity ends up making us intolerant?
I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war.
And there were other rocks that were like animals, creeping, horrible animals, putting out their tongues, and others were like words I could not say, and others like dead people lying on the grass. I went on among them, though they frightened me, and my heart was full of wicked song they put into it; and I wanted to make faces and twist myself about the way they did, and I went on and on a long way till at last I liked the rocks and they didnβt frighten me any more
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