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?
The chief internal enemies of any state are not spies nor saboteurs nor the paid agents of foreign governments. They are, on the contrary, those myriads of public officials who betray the trust imposed upon them by the people.
Withdrawal of US troops will become like salted peanuts to the American public: The more US troops come home, the more will be demanded.
The west was involved in toppling the Mossadegh government. That ultimately led to the Iranian revolution.
Liberal and conservative have lost their meaning in America. I represent the distracted center.
Every rock or molotov cocktail thrown should make a very obvious political point. Random violence produces random propaganda results. Why waste even a rock?
The public think the politicians don't know or care about their lives; and the politicians feel misunderstood.
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