Quote#Politics & Power
We have now in our possession three instruments of civilization,…
Quote byEdward Everett · 1794–1865
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Edward Everett, reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 141..
English (original)
We have now in our possession three instruments of civilization, unknown to antiquity. These are the art of printing; free representative government; and, lastly, a pure and spiritual religion, the deep fountain of generous enthusiasm, the mighty spring of bold and lofty designs, the great sanctuary of moral power.
— Edward Everett
More from Edward Everett
Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.
No gilded dome swells from the lowly roof to catch the morning or evening beam; but the love and gratitude of united America settle upon it in one eternal sunshine.
When I am dead, no pageant train Shall waste their sorrows at my bier, Nor worthless pomp of homage vain Stain it with hypocritic tear.
You shall not pile, with servile toil, Your monuments upon my breast, Nor yet within the common soil Lay down the wreck of power to rest, Where man can boast that he has trod On him that was “the scourge of God.”
The great object of all knowledge is to enlarge and purify the soul
I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near the central idea of the occasion in two hours, as you did in two minutes.