Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Common farmers fired a shot at a bridge that changed global history.
In plain terms
Farmers started a world-changing war with a shot.
What can you take from it?
Ordinary people can spark massive historical change.

Where it applies

  • history
  • civics
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • act boldly
  • study history
  • recognize heroes

Questions to consider

  • Who really changes history?
  • What makes a moment global?

Another view

One shot does not define a whole revolution alone.

More from Ralph Waldo Emerson

  1. But these young scholars who invade our hills, Bold as the engineer who fells the wood, And travelling often in the cut he makes, Love not the flower they pluc…

    Permalink to quote #177
  2. Hast thou named all the birds without a gun; Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk.

    Permalink to quote #179
  3. Though thou loved her as thyself, As a self of purer clay, Tho' her parting dims the day, Stealing grace from all alive, Heartily know, When half-gods go, The …

    Permalink to quote #176

Related quotes

  1. The most heroic word in all languages is REVOLUTION.

    Eugene V. DebsEugene V. Debs quote #4
  2. Finally, she broke her silence and spelled it out to Dr. Burkley. Kneeling, John Kennedy's personal physician indicated her ghastly skirt with a trembling hand…

    William ManchesterWilliam Manchester quote #1
  3. Citizens, did you want a revolution without revolution?

    Maximilien RobespierreMaximilien Robespierre quote #2