Quote#Nature
You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the…
Quote byWilliam Jennings Bryan · 1860–1925
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Cross of Gold Speech (1896).
English (original)
You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard; we reply that the great cities rest upon our broad and fertile prairies. Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic; but destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country.
— William Jennings Bryan
More from William Jennings Bryan
a good government doubles every joy and a bad government multiplies every sorrow.
There is no more menacing feature in these modern times than the disinclination of what are called the better classes to assume the burdens of citizenship.
Success is brought by continued labor and continued watchfulness. We must struggle on, not for one moment hesitate, nor take one backward step.
No government can long endure unless its citizens are willing to make some sacrifice for its existence.
Our definition of patriotism is often too narrow. Shall the lover of his country measure his loyalty only by his service as a soldier?
While human government exists the tendency to abuse power will remain.