A good government may, indeed, redress the grievances of an injured people; but a strong people can alone build up a great nation.
Interpretation
Strong citizens are essential for building a prosperous nation, even if a good government can address their grievances.
This quote emphasizes the importance of civic strength and responsibility in nation-building. While a good government plays a critical role in addressing the needs and grievances of its citizens, it is ultimately the strength, resilience, and participation of the people that enables the creation and maintenance of a great nation. The quote suggests that empowerment and active engagement of the populace are crucial for true progress and development.
In practice
During a speech about civic duty, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of citizen engagement.
I now bid farewell to the country of my birth - of my passions - of my death; a country whose misfortunes have invoked my sympathies - whose factions I sought to quell - whose intelligence I prompted to a lofty aim - whose freedom has been my fatal dream.
The State is the altar of political freedom and, like the religious altar, it is maintained for the purpose of human sacrifice.
Demand the ballot as the undeniable right of every man who is called to the poll, and take special care that the old constitutional rule and principle, by which majorities alone shall decide in Parliamentary elections, shall not be violated.
Those against politics are in favor of the politics inflicted upon them.
Optimism comes less easily today, not because democracy is less vigorous, but because democracy's enemies have refined their instruments of repression.
The American foreign policy trauma of the sixties and seventies was caused by applying valid principles to unsuitable conditions.
Without alienation, there can be no politics.
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