--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We hold these truths to be self-evident…" description: "\"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg" --- # We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are… ![“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, and the right to make that of another miserable by thrusting upon him an incalculable quantity of acquaintances; liberty…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg) > “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, and the right to make that of another miserable by thrusting upon him an incalculable quantity of acquaintances; liberty, particularly the liberty to introduce persons to one another without first ascertaining if they are not already acquainted as enemies; and the pursuit of another's happiness with a running pack of strangers.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A satirical take on the contradictions of liberty and social interaction, mocking the idea that freedom can be exercised without regard for consequences. **In simple terms:** Freedom is mocked as careless and harmful. Key Takeaway Beware of careless liberty. Themes satire freedom social criticism paradox Mood ironic critical wry Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - political discourse - social media - personal relationships - public policy Key Concepts liberty human nature irony Questions to Reflect On - How does unchecked freedom affect others? - When does satire become cynicism? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay serious concerns about rights and responsibilities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquaintance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintance/) [Acquaintances Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintances-liberty-5455547/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Evident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evident/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Hold Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-truths-534600/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inalienable rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inalienable-rights/) [Introducing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introducing/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Miserable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miserable/) [Packs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/packs/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Quantity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantity/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Stranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stranger/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truths/) ## Related quotes > [We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-5/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“By the way we also hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal that they have been endowed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicanor-parra/by-the-way-we-also-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men/) [Nicanor Parra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicanor-parra/) > [We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed; We hold these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-have-a-dream-that-one-day-this-nation-will-rise-up-and-live-out-the-3/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [We hold these truths to be self-evident; All people are born creative; Endowed by our Creator with the inalienable right and responsibility to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-marx-hubbard/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-all-people-are-born-creative/) [Barbara Marx Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-marx-hubbard/) > [“Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/now-i-say-to-you-today-my-friends-even-though-we-face-the-2/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [“They work their discreet types of madness on us, power and pain, and we hold to our truths in the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-mcginnis/they-work-their-discreet-types-of-madness-on-us-power-and-pain-and-we/) [Mindy McGinnis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-mcginnis/) > [“. . . I still hold two truths with equal and fundamental certainty. One: the British did terrible things to the Irish. Two: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dominic-crossan/i-still-hold-two-truths-with-equal-and-fundamental-certainty-one-the/) [John Dominic Crossan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dominic-crossan/) > [We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-equal/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-3/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-and-women-are/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [Past, n. That part of Eternity with some small fraction of which we have a slight and regrettable acquaintance. A moving line called the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/past-n-that-part-of-eternity-with-some-small-fraction-of-which-we/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Acquaintance is a degree of friendship called slight when its object is poor and obscure, and intimate when he is rich and famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/acquaintance-is-a-degree-of-friendship-called-slight-when-its-object/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ACQUAINTANCE, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to. A degree of friendship called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/acquaintance-n-a-person-whom-we-know-well-enough-to-borrow-from-but-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/acquaintance-n-a-person-whom-we-know-well-enough-to-borrow-from-but/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Acquaintance quotes > [Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distrust-all-those-who-love-you-extremely-upon-a-very-slight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be much alone with God, and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly -every thought, feeling, wish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/be-much-alone-with-god-and-take-time-to-get-thoroughly-acquainted/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [The study of history and philosophy, accompanied by some acquaintance with art and literature, should be for lawyers and engineers as well as for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/the-study-of-history-and-philosophy-accompanied-by-some-acquaintance/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-love-of-new-acquaintance-comes-not-so-much-from-being-weary-of/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [One frequently only finds out how really beautiful a women is, until after considerable acquaintance with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/one-frequently-only-finds-out-how-really-beautiful-a-women-is-until/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I'd rather be a nodding acquaintance, than a bobble head”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-stern/i-d-rather-be-a-nodding-acquaintance-than-a-bobble-head/) [Josh Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-stern/) > [In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant… My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/in-addition-to-my-other-numerous-acquaintances-i-have-one-more/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [God is a spirit. Jesus was led up of the Spirit to be tempted of the Devil; and it is also true that spirits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradlaugh/god-is-a-spirit-jesus-was-led-up-of-the-spirit-to-be-tempted-of-the/) [Charles Bradlaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradlaugh/) > [ \[On an anarchist acquaintance:\] Everything in appearance the most alarmist aunt could wish. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/on-an-anarchist-acquaintance-everything-in-appearance-the-most/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [ \[Books\] will visit you at your convenience, whether you are lonesome or not, on rainy days or fair. They propose themselves as either transient… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/books-will-visit-you-at-your-convenience-whether-you-are-lonesome-or/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [I'm not dating Prateik; he is just a good acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amyra-dastur/i-m-not-dating-prateik-he-is-just-a-good-acquaintance/) [Amyra Dastur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amyra-dastur/) > [Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/moderation-is-the-inseparable-companion-of-wisdom-but-with-it-genius/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [The greatest embarrassment of my political career has been that active duties seem to deprive me of time for careful investigation. I seem almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/the-greatest-embarrassment-of-my-political-career-has-been-that/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [A woman who can't forgive should never have more than a nodding acquaintance with a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-woman-who-can-t-forgive-should-never-have-more-than-a-nodding/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 484 Acquaintance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, and the right to make that of another miserable by thrusting upon him an incalculable quantity of acquaintances; liberty, particularly the liberty to introduce persons to one another without first ascertaining if they are not already acquainted as enemies; and the pursuit of another's happiness with a running pack of strangers.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-4/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acquaintance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-4/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1df/ambrose-bierce-140_acquaintance_we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident_2304551.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their…” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We hold these truths to be...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-4/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-4/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```