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Yet by such worthless beings is a great nation to be…

“Yet by such worthless beings is a great nation to be governed and even made to deify their old king because he is only a fool and a maniac, and to forgive and forget his having lost to them a great and flourishing empire.” quote by Thomas Jefferson
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“Yet by such worthless beings is a great nation to be governed and even made to deify their old king because he is only a fool and a maniac, and to forgive and forget his having lost to them a great and flourishing empire.”

Thomas Jefferson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The author criticizes a nation that blindly worships a foolish ruler, urging forgiveness and forgetting past defeats despite a flourishing empire.

In simple terms: Blind loyalty to bad leaders harms societies.

Key Takeaway

Question authority and seek wise leadership.

Themes

politics leadership history

Mood

critical thoughtful

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • civic education
  • political reform
  • public discourse
  • historical analysis

Key Concepts

authoritarianism critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
  • What lessons do past empires teach today?
A Different Perspective

People may resist challenging entrenched power.

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