The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them, they cannot love us.
Interpretation
Understanding and addressing the consequences of past injustices is essential for healthy relationships.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson emphasizes the importance of justice in relationships, particularly in the context of historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples. Jefferson acknowledges that after causing harm, invoking fear rather than love is an inadequate foundation for conduct, highlighting the need for reconciliation and fairness to build meaningful relationships.
In practice
During a discussion on racial reconciliation, this quote can remind participants of the importance of justice in healing relationships.
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
βWe 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.
I have seen many die, surrounded by loved ones, and their last words were βI love you.β There were some who could no longer speak yet with their eyes and soft smile left behind that same healing message. I have been in rooms where those who were dying made it feel like sacred ground. (26)
Oh lovers! be careful in those dangerous first days! once you've brought breakfast in bed you'll have to bring it forever, unless you want to be accused of lovelessness and betrayal.
It's the damage that we do and never know. It's the words that we don't say that scare me so.
The tongue has no bones, but can break a heart.
Handshaking means, 'I don't have a weapon.'
I've talked to nearly 30,000, people on this show, and all 30,000, had one thing in common: They all wanted validation...I would tell you that every single person you will ever meet shares that common desire.
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