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He was a worshiper of liberty, a friend of the oppressed. A thousand times I have heard him quote these words: 'For Justice all place a temple, and all season, summer.' He believed that happiness is the only good, reason the only torch, justice the only worship, humanity the only religion, and love the only priest. He added to the sum of human joy; and were every one to whom he did some loving service to bring a blossom to his grave, he would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers. . . .
Robert Green Ingersoll
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of liberty, justice, and love as fundamental values for human happiness and connection.

In this quote, Robert Green Ingersoll reflects on the profound ideals held by an individual who championed liberty and fought against oppression. The quote illustrates the interconnectedness of happiness, justice, and love in creating a meaningful life, suggesting that true worship lies in these values. By envisioning a world where everyone honors this person with a token of gratitude, Ingersoll highlights the impact of kindness and service on the collective human experience.

Themes

LibertyJusticeHappinessLoveHumanityOppression

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a speech advocating for social justice.

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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. . . .
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