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About this quote

What does it mean?
Every person and nation faces a critical moment to choose between truth and falsehood. This choice defines their moral standing.
In plain terms
Everyone must choose between doing right or wrong at some point.
What can you take from it?
Your moral choices define your legacy.

Where it applies

  • ethical dilemmas
  • historical turning points
  • personal crises

Putting it to work

  • prepare for difficult decisions
  • define your values
  • act with integrity

Questions to consider

  • When must you make the hardest choice?
  • What does truth demand of you?

Another view

Not every moment offers a clear moral choice.

More from James Russell Lowell

  1. Two meanings have our lightest fantasies,- One of the flesh, and of the spirit one.

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  2. Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne,- Yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, k…

    Permalink to quote #40
  3. To win the secret of a weed's plain heart.

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