It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active.
Interpretation
Laziness often leads to losing one's rights to those who are proactive.
This quote highlights the consequences of inaction and laziness, suggesting that those who do not actively defend or pursue their rights may find themselves at the mercy of more active individuals. It serves as a reminder that passivity can result in the erosion of one's entitlements and freedoms, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant and engaged in the pursuit of one's interests.
In practice
During a public debate on civic engagement, one could use this quote to stress the importance of participation.
It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become prey to the active. The conditions upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime, and the punishment of his guilt.
Evil prospers when good men do nothing.
Question everything. Every stripe, every star, every word spoken. Everything.
We should use our imagination more than our memory.
A man who cannot control his temper is not very likely to control his passions, and no matter what his pretensions in religion, he moves in daily life very close to the animal plane.
Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.
Before you give advice, that is to say advice which you have not been asked to give, it is well to put to yourself two questions - namely, what is your motive for giving it, and what is it likely to be worth? If these questions were always asked, and honestly answered, there would be less advice given.
A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.
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