He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe.
Marcus AureliusRead
The moment this House undertakes to legislate upon this subject slavery, it dissolves the Union. Should it be my fortune to have a seat upon this floor, I will abandon it the instant the first decisive step is taken looking towards legislation of this subject. I will go home to preach, and if I can, practice, disunion, and civil war, if needs be. A revolution must ensue, and this republic sink in blood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses the profound consequences of legislating slavery, suggesting it could lead to the dissolution of the Union and civil strife.
In this quote, James Henry Hammond warns of the severe consequences that would follow if legislation were enacted regarding slavery. He asserts that such actions would not only lead to the disintegration of the Union but also advocate for rebellion and bloodshed, illustrating the deep divisions and moral crises surrounding the institution of slavery in his time. Hammond reflects a belief that compromising on this issue could lead to catastrophic outcomes for the nation and its values.
Themes
SlaveryUnionDisunionLegislationWarBloodshed
In practice
Example use cases
In a historical debate on civil rights, this quote can illustrate the stakes involved in legislative decisions.
Similar quotes
It is the business of future to be dangerous.... The major advances in civilization are processes that all but wreck the societies in which they occur.
Alfred North WhiteheadRead
Those of us raised in the Christian tradition need to choose to either see God in Jesus or to continue to let the Bible define God. Our tradition says that Jesus is God. Maybe we should act as if we think he is instead of worshipping a book. Maybe we should be brave enough to admit that we are compelled to either become blinded ideologues or we need to forthrightly pick and choose what we follow in the Bible. Most Christians do that anyway, many just don’t admit it.
Frank SchaefferRead
For my part, when I enter most intimately into what I call myself, I always stumble on some particular perception or other, of heat or cold, light or shade, love or hatred, pain or pleasure. I never can catch myself at any time without a perception, and never can observe anything but the perception.
David HumeRead
The responsibility of philanthropy rests with us. The wealthier we are, the more powerful we get. We cannot put the entire onus on the government.
Azim PremjiRead
it is interesting to find that people of faith now seek defensively to say that they are no worse than fascists or Nazis or Stalinists
Christopher HitchensRead