It is lawful and hath been held so through all ages for any one who have the power to call to account a tyrant or wicked king, and after due conviction to depose and put him to death.
Interpretation
The quote asserts the right to challenge and remove a tyrant or unjust ruler through accountability and justice.
John Milton's quote emphasizes the moral and lawful authority of individuals to hold tyrants accountable, suggesting that throughout history, it has been considered just to depose and execute a ruler who has been recently convicted of wrongdoing. It advocates for the idea that citizens have the power to fight against oppression and seeks to establish a form of justice by saying that a tyrant's reign can be challenged and ended if he has committed grave offenses against the people.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of standing up against oppression.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
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Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
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Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
I promised never to let the Rwandan Genocide die because I knew the Rwandans didn't have much power internationally and certainly didn't have the resources. I felt it was my duty having witnessed it, and having stayed to witness it, that I had to talk about it and keep it going.
I was scared many times on Everest, but this is all part of the challenge. When I fell down a crevasse, it was pretty scary.
I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.
If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated suffering.
To me, wrestling is therapy. No matter how bad my personal situation is, when I step into the ring, all my troubles disappear. My baggage stays in the back where it belongs.
Besides we are men, and after all it is our business to risk our lives.
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