It is chiefly through books that we enjoy intercourse with superior minds. In the best books, great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, and pour their souls into ours.
William Ellery ChanningRead
The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men the opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Government should facilitate the conditions for individuals to pursue their own happiness rather than provide happiness directly.
This quote emphasizes the belief that the role of government is not to provide happiness to its citizens but rather to create an environment where people can pursue their own paths to happiness. It suggests that true happiness is a personal endeavor and that individuals must have the freedom and opportunity to define and achieve it on their own.
Themes
GovernmentHappinessOpportunityPersonal GrowthFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the role of government at a community meeting, one might refer to this quote to highlight the importance of creating opportunities for citizens.
More from William Ellery Channing
All quotes βNo power in society, no hardship in your condition can depress you, keep you down, in knowledge, power, virtue, influence, but by your own consent.
William Ellery ChanningRead
I laugh, for hope hath a happy place with me; If my boat sinks, 'tis to another sea.
William Ellery ChanningRead
We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order to reach its fruit; but the same blunder is made by every person who is over eager and impatient in the pursuit of pleasure.
William Ellery ChanningRead
Every mind was made for growth, for knowledge, and its nature is sinned against when it is doomed to ignorance.
William Ellery ChanningRead
He who is false to the present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and you will see the effect when the weaving of a life-time is unraveled.
William Ellery ChanningRead
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