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