One of our statesmen said, "The curse of this country is eloquent men."
Interpretation
Eloquent men can influence society in both positive and negative ways, and this can be seen as a curse.
Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote suggests that while eloquence can be a powerful tool for persuasion, it can also lead to manipulation and deception. The speaker implies that charismatic and articulate individuals may use their gifts to sway public opinion or lead the masses astray, thus becoming a curse rather than a blessing to society.
In practice
During a debate, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of critical thinking over persuasive speech.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
There are lots of countries that are having these kinds of internal civil wars in other parts of the world and nobody is talking about intervening.
No state should be allowed to profess partnership with the global coalition against terror, while continuing to aid, abet and sponsor terrorism.
The government has no money of its own. It's all your money.
Have you ever wondered why Republicans are so interested in encouraging people to volunteer in their communities? Itβs because volunteers work for no pay. Republicans have been trying to get people to work for no pay for a long time.
Democracy and socialism are means to an end, not the end itself.
Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen's faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity; already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs.
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