I have done for my country, and for all mankind, all that I could do, and I now resign my soul, without fear, to my God - my daughter to my country.
Interpretation
This quote expresses a deep sense of duty and surrender to both a higher power and a nation, reflecting on personal sacrifice and responsibility.
In this quote, Thomas Jefferson articulates his commitment to serving his country and humanity at large, suggesting that he has given his all in his efforts. It reflects the profound human experience of balancing personal sacrifice, religious faith, and allegiance, as he resigns his soul to God while entrusting his daughter to the nation he has served, highlighting the interconnectedness of personal and public duty.
In practice
During a remembrance ceremony for veterans, one might quote Jefferson to honor those who have served.
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
We 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.
Doctors will have more lives to answer for in the next world than even we generals.
In the Halls of Justice the only justice is in the halls.
In the course of history many more people have died for their drink and their dope than have died for their religion or their country.
I’ll put it out there: I am scarred by the nostalgic indicipherability of my own desires; I an engulfed by the intimidating unknown, pushed through darkness and dragged down by the irretrievable past sweetness of my memories.
I did once seriously think of embracing the Christian faith. The gentle figure of Christ, so full of forgiveness that he taught his followers not to retaliate when abused or struck, but to turn the other cheek - I thought it was a beautiful example of the perfect man.
Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
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