Error indeed has often prevailed by the assistance of power or force. Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error.
Interpretation
Power can often support falsehoods, but truth is the ultimate counter to error.
In this quote, Thomas Jefferson asserts that while mistakes and falsehoods may be perpetuated by those in positions of power, the most effective way to combat such inaccuracies is through the pursuit and promotion of truth. He emphasizes the importance of truth as a fundamental force that can challenge and overcome error, suggesting a moral responsibility to seek out and uphold what is true, especially in the face of misleading ideologies supported by authority.
In practice
During a speech advocating for social justice, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of truth in fighting against systemic errors.
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.
Truth is best (of all that is) good. As desired, what is being desired is truth for him who (represents) the best truth. (Gathas 27.14)
The first glance at History convinces us that the actions of men proceed from their needs, their passions, their characters and talents; and impresses us with the belief that such needs, passions and interests are the sole spring of actions.
It is only when human beings see themselves simply as human beings, no longer as gods, that they are in a position to perceive the wholly other nature of God.
It is when we try to grapple with another man's intimate need that we perceive how incomprehensible, wavering and misty are the beings that share with us the sight of the stars and the warmth of the sun. It is as if loneliness were a hard and absolute condition of existence; the envelope of flesh and blood on which our eyes are fixed melts before the outstretched hand, and there remains only the capricious, unconsolable and elusive spirit that no eye can follow, no hand can grasp.
I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue.
I think it makes sense to believe in God, but exactly what decision in your life you make differently because of it, I don't know.
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