If an angel should be winged from Heaven, on an errand of…
“If an angel should be winged from Heaven, on an errand of mercy to our country, the first accents that would glow on his lips would be, Beware! Be cautious! You have everything to lose; nothing to gain. We live under the only government that ever existed which was framed by the unrestrained and deliberate consultations of the people. Miracles do not cluster. That which has happened but once in six thousand years cannot be expected to happen often. Such a government, once gone, might leave a void, to be filled, for ages, with revolution and tumult, riot and despotism.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that a benevolent authority can become oppressive, and rare miracles are unlikely to repeat, so loss loss may lead to chaos.
In simple terms: Beware of power and rare events.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant and protect freedoms.
Themes
power
freedom
risk
history
government
Mood
cautious
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political reform
- civil unrest
- policy making
- public discourse
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
political theory
human nature
probability
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance caution with optimism?
- What safeguards can prevent a power vacuum?
A Different Perspective
The warning may overstate danger and ignore positive aspects of governance.