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And even should the cloud of barbarism and despotism again obscure the science and libraries of Europe, this country remains to preserve and restore light and liberty to them. In short, the flames kindled on the fourth of July, 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them.

Thomas Jefferson#117

PoliticsFreedomHistoryResistance

About this quote

What does it mean?
American liberty will survive and spread globally, even if despotism tries to destroy science and freedom elsewhere.
In plain terms
Once freedom spreads, tyrants cannot put it out.
What can you take from it?
Liberty once ignited cannot be easily extinguished.

Where it applies

  • promoting democracy abroad
  • resisting authoritarianism
  • encouraging reform

Putting it to work

  • share democratic values
  • support global reform movements
  • publicize successes

Questions to consider

  • What happens when a revolution is crushed?
  • Is liberty always self-sustaining?

Another view

History shows democracies can still fall to despotism.

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. That one hundred and fifty lawyers should do business together ought not to be expected.

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  2. Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting 'Jesus Chris…

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  3. You seem to consider the federal judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions, a very dangerous doctrine, indeed, and one which would place …

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