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A prayer that must have a cannon behind it better never be uttered. Forgiveness ought not to go in partnership with shot and shell. Love need not carry knives and revolvers.
Robert Green Ingersoll
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True forgiveness and love should not be accompanied by violence or aggression.

This quote emphasizes the idea that genuine forgiveness and love cannot coexist with violence or threats of harm. It suggests that the essence of these virtues is undermined when they are coupled with weapons and aggression, highlighting the need for peace in the practice of forgiveness and love.

Themes

ForgivenessLovePeaceViolencePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

During a discussion on conflict resolution, this quote can be used to emphasize the need for peaceful approaches.

More from Robert Green Ingersoll

I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
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If the guardians of society, the protectors of 'young persons,' could have had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The voices that thrill the world would now be silent.
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The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.
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There is no slavery but ignorance.
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In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest monuments sleeps the dust of murder.
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I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .
Robert Green IngersollRead

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