Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing ...[and] every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.
George MasonRead
As nations can not be rewarded or punished in the next world they must be in this.
Interpretation
Nations face consequences in this life rather than in an afterlife.
George Mason's quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing that the actions of nations are judged in the present world, rather than relying on an afterlife for rewards or punishments. It suggests that accountability and justice must be pursued in real time, as there are no guarantees of recompense beyond this life.
In practice
During a discussion on international relations, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of holding nations accountable now rather than later.
Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing ...[and] every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.
Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community.
There is a Passion natural to the Mind of man, especially a free Man, which renders him impatient of Restraint.
Government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community... when any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
As much as I value an union of all the states, I would not admit the southern states into the union, unless they agreed to the discontinuance of this disgraceful trade, because it would bring weakness and not strength to the union.
All men are by nature born equally free and independent.
We always strive after what is forbidden, and desire the things refused us.
All people of African descent, whether they live in North or South America, the Caribbean, or in any part of the world are Africans and belong to the African nation.
The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became the truth.
You just sit there and tolerate it, the same way everything in this country is tolerated. Every deception, every lie, every bullet in the brains. Just as you are already tolerating bullets in the brains that will be implemented only after the bullet is put in your brains.
When affirmation and negation came into being, Tao faded. After Tao faded, then came one-sided attachments.
It belongs to the very substance of nonviolence never to destroy or damage another person's feeling of self worth, even an opponent's. We all need, constantly, an advance of trust and affirmation.
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