Truth is one forever absolute, but opinion is truth filtered through the moods, the blood, the disposition of the spectator.
Wendell PhillipsRead
Write on my gravestone: 'Infidel, Traitor.', infidel to every church that compromises with wrong; traitor to every government that oppresses the people.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a commitment to stand against injustice, both in religious and governmental contexts.
Wendell Phillips' quote reflects his strong moral stance against any form of oppression and compromise with wrongdoing. By choosing the words 'Infidel' and 'Traitor,' he highlights the idea that true integrity may often put one at odds with established institutions that prioritize conformity over justice.
Themes
InjusticeOppressionCourageIntegrityStand UpTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for civil rights, one might cite this quote to emphasize the importance of standing against oppression.
More from Wendell Phillips
All quotes βSeldom ever was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart; the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment.
Wendell PhillipsRead
If you want to be an orator, first get your great cause.
Wendell PhillipsRead
Debt is the fatal disease of republics, the first thing and the mightiest to undermine governments and corrupt the people.
Wendell PhillipsRead
Organize, and stand together. Claim something together, and at once; let the nation hear a united demand from the laboring voice, and then, when you have got that, go on after another; but get something.
Wendell PhillipsRead
On a single winged word hath hung the destiny of nations.
Wendell PhillipsRead
Similar quotes
TO the States or any one of them, or any city of the States, Resist much, obey little, Once unquestioning obedience, once fully enslaved, Once fully enslaved, no nation, state, city of this earth, ever after-ward resumes its liberty.
Walt WhitmanRead
I gave myself permission to care, because there are a lot of people in this world who are afraid of caring, or afraid of showing that they care because it's uncool. It's uncool to have passion. It's so much easier to lose when you've shown everyone how much you don't care if you win or lose. It's much harder to lose when you show that you care, but, you'll never win, unless you also stand to lose. Don't be afraid of your passion.
Tom HiddlestonRead
It is wonderful. It truly is. It is the only thing that is real! It's you against me, it's challenging another guy's manhood. With gloves. Words cannot describe that feeling of being a man, of being a gladiator, of being a warrior. It's irreplaceable.
Sugar Ray LeonardRead
You should have a fear of some things. That doesn't mean it incapacitates you from your ability to figure out a way to deal with it.
Chris HadfieldRead
If you banish fear, nothing terribly bad can happen to you.
Margaret Bourke-WhiteRead
I'm no hero. Heroes don't come back. Survivors return home. Heroes never come home. If anyone thinks I'm a hero, I'm not.
Bob FellerRead