Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great Creator of heaven and earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee.
George WashingtonRead
The crisis is arrived when we must assert our rights, or submit to every imposition, that can be heaped upon us, till custom and use shall make us as tame and abject slaves, as the blacks we rule over with such arbitrary sway.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of standing up for our rights to avoid becoming subservient.
George Washington's quote highlights a critical moment in history when individuals must choose between standing firm in their rights or passively accepting oppression. It reflects on the dangers of complacency and the moral responsibility to resist tyranny, likening the potential loss of freedom to the subjugation faced by enslaved individuals. It serves as a reminder that passive acceptance leads to degradation and loss of agency.
Themes
RightsOppressionFreedomCourageResistance
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech advocating for civil rights, one might quote Washington to highlight the need for action against injustice.
More from George Washington
All quotes βIf, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.
George WashingtonRead
The duty of holding a Neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of Peace and amity toward other Nations.
George WashingtonRead
We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency. We expected to encounter many wants and distressed we must bear the present evils and fortitude
George WashingtonRead
What is most important of this grand experiment, the United States? Not the election of the first president but the election of its second president. The peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
George WashingtonRead
Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
George WashingtonRead
Similar quotes
Ah! never shall the land forget How gushed the life-blood of her brave -
William C. BryantRead
Any coward can sit in his home and criticize a pilot for flying into a mountain in a fog. But I would rather, by far, die on a mountainside than in bed. What kind of man would live where there is no daring? And is life so dear that we should blame men for dying in adventure? Is there a better way to die?
Charles LindberghRead
Women are never so strong as after their defeat.
Alexandre DumasRead
If I make a fool of myself, who cares? I'm not frightened by anyone's perception of me.
Angelina JolieRead
Activism is something that no one can fake. You get angry. You cry. But you never throw in your towel, because that anger is what is propelling you to further action.
Leymah GboweeRead
Survival is the ability to swim in strange water.
Frank HerbertRead