Knowledge and liberty are so prevalent in this country, that I do not believe that the United States would ever be disposed to establish one religious sect, and lay all others under legal disabilities. But as we know not what may take place hereafter, and any such test would be exceedingly injurious to the rights of free citizens, I cannot think it altogether superfluous to have added a clause, which secures us from the possibility of such oppression.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of religious freedom and the protection of citizens' rights from oppressive laws.
Oliver Wolcott's quote reflects a concern for the preservation of liberty and knowledge in relation to religious freedom. He acknowledges that while the United States currently values these principles, it is prudent to safeguard against potential future oppression. The inclusion of a clause to protect against the establishment of a single dominant religion serves as a proactive measure to ensure that citizens' rights remain intact, highlighting the necessity of vigilance in protecting freedoms.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of civil rights, one might reference this quote to underline the need for vigilance in preserving religious freedoms.
It is quite rare for God to provide a great man at the necessary moment to carry out some great deep, which is why when this unusual combination of circumstance does occur, history at once records the name of the chosen one and recommends him to the admiration of posterity.
It is futile to try to make the universe add up. But I guess we must go on anyhow.
But all fairytales have rules, and perhaps it’s their rules that actually distinguish one fairytale from the other. These rules never need to be understood. They only need to be followed. If not, what they promise won’t come true.
The influence (for good or ill) of Plato's work is immeasurable. Western thought, one might say, has been Platonic or anti-Platonic, but hardly ever non-Platonic.
On 16 September 1985, when the Commerce Department announced that the United States had become a debtor nation, the American Empire died.
It is a fool only, and not the philosopher, nor even the prudent man, that will live as if there were no God... Were a man impressed as fully and strongly as he ought to be with the belief of a God, his moral life would be regulated by the force of belief; he would stand in awe of God and of himself, and would not do the thing that could not be concealed from either.
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