The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.
Interpretation
Citizens must be informed and active to safeguard their liberties; ignorance breeds apathy and threat to freedom.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson emphasizes the critical role of an informed populace in preserving public liberty. He warns that when misconceptions go unchallenged, the discontent of those affected can lead to apathy, which is detrimental to the health of a democracy. The assertion that the spirit of resistance is essential serves as a reminder that an engaged and vigilant citizenry is a cornerstone of freedom.
In practice
During a rally advocating for free speech, one could use this quote to underscore the importance of a vigilant public.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
From principles is derived probability, but truth or certainty is obtained only from facts.
My conscience is informed by reason. It's like Kant's categorical imperative: behave to others as you would wish they behaved to you.
We who don't want radical Islam to spread must compete with the agents of radical Islam. I want to see what would happen if Christians, feminists and Enlightenment thinkers were to start proselytizing in the Muslim community.
Live out your life in truth and justice, tolerant of those who are neither true nor just.
No press conference announcing a last film. I'd just steal away. Best way because, if by chance after two or three years something interesting comes up, I would not - like Sinatra - have to say: 'Well, I've thought it over and decided to come back.'
I propose to raise a revolution against the lie that the majority has the monopoly of the truth.
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