Out of our first century of national life we evolved the ethical principle that it was not right or just that an honest and industrious man should live and die in misery. He was entitled to some degree of sympathy and security. Our conscience declared against the honest workman's becoming a pauper, but our eyes told us that he very often did.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the moral obligation to support the diligent and honest workers in society who often face hardships despite their efforts.
Frances Perkins articulates a fundamental ethical principle that emerged in the context of national life, advocating for the rights of honest and hardworking individuals who struggle with poverty. She reflects on the conflict between societal conscience, which demands sympathy and security for these workers, and the harsh realities that often lead them to live in misery. This quote calls for a societal commitment to ensure that honesty and hard work are rewarded with dignity and support, rather than neglect.
In practice
Use this quote in a speech about labor rights and the importance of supporting workers.
Our idea of what constitutes social good has advanced with the procession of the ages, from those desperate times when just to keep body and soul together was an achievement, to the great present when "good" includes an agreeable, stable civilization accessible to all, the opportunity of each to develop his particular genius and the privilege of mutual usefulness.
The door might not be opened to a woman again for a long, long time, and I had a kind of duty to other women to walk in and sit down on the chair that was offered, and so establish the right of others long hence and far distant in geography to sit in the high seats.
The people are what matter to government, and a government should aim to give all the people under its jurisdiction the best possible life.
Every moment of the night Forever changing places And they put out the star-light With the breath from their pale faces
The fear of infinity is a form of myopia that destroys the possibility of seeing the actual infinite, even though it in its highest form has created and sustains us, and in its secondary transfinite forms occurs all around us and even inhabits our minds.
The human mind delights in finding pattern—so much so that we often mistake coincidence or forced analogy for profound meaning. No other habit of thought lies so deeply within the soul of a small creature trying to make sense of a complex world not constructed for it.
There are things of which I may not speak; There are dreams that cannot die; There are thoughts that make the strong heart weak, And bring a pallor into the cheek, And a mist before the eye.
One should never put on one's best trousers to go out to fight for freedom.
Feminism... I think the simplest explanation, and one that captures the idea, is a song that Marlo Thomas sang, 'Free to be You and Me.'
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