Our greatest leaders are neither dreamers nor dictators: They are, like Jefferson, those who articulate national aspirations yet master the mechanics of influence and know when to depart from dogma.
Jon MeachamRead
Without education, we are weaker economically. Without economic power, we are weaker in terms of national security. No great military power has ever remained so without great economic power.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Education is essential for economic strength, which in turn is critical for national security.
In this quote, Jon Meacham emphasizes the interconnectedness of education, economic power, and national security. He argues that a lack of education leads to economic weakness, which compromises a nation's ability to ensure its own security, highlighting that no formidable military power has sustained itself without a robust economic foundation.
Themes
EducationEconomic PowerNational SecurityMilitary StrengthInvesting In Knowledge
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on education policy, this quote can highlight the importance of investing in educational programs.
More from Jon Meacham
All quotes βIt would be wonderful if the public sector were always great, or always terrible; or if the private sector were always great, or always terrible. Alas, reality is more complicated than comforting caricatures. Governments fail, and corporations fail.
Jon MeachamRead
As crucial as religion has been and is to the life of the nation, America's unifying force has never been a specific faith, but a commitment to freedom - not least freedom of conscience.
Jon MeachamRead
The perennial conviction that those who work hard and play by the rules will be rewarded with a more comfortable present and a stronger future for their children faces assault from just about every direction. That great enemy of democratic capitalism, economic inequality, is real and growing.
Jon MeachamRead
A wise nation should cultivate a political spirit that allows opponents to cooperate without fearing an automatic execution from their core supporters. Who knew that the real rogues in American politics would be the ones who dare to get along?
Jon MeachamRead
One of the earliest resurrection scenes in the Bible is that of Thomas demanding evidence - he wanted to see, to touch, to prove. Those who question and probe and debate are heirs of the apostles just as much as the most fervent of believers.
Jon MeachamRead
Similar quotes
A classical work doesn't ever have to be understood entirely. But those who are educated and who are still educating themselves must desire to learn more and more from it.
Karl Wilhelm Friedrich SchlegelRead
When we grew up and went to school_x000D_ There were certain teachers who would_x000D_ Hurt the children any way they could_x000D_ By pouring their derision_x000D_ Upon anything we did_x000D_ Exposing every weakness_x000D_ However carefully hidden by the kids.
Roger WatersRead
Seldom ever was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart; the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment.
Wendell PhillipsRead
When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.
Walt DisneyRead
After years of finding mathematics easy, I finally reached integral calculus and came up against a barrier. I realized that this was as far as I could go, and to this day I have never successfully gone beyond it in any but the most superficial way.
Isaac AsimovRead
The appeal of reading, she thought, lay in its indifference: there was something undeferring about literature. Books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal, herself included. Literature, she thought, is a commonwealth; letters a republic.
Alan BennettRead