Bitter Quote by Edward Everett
“The evil, Sir, is enormous; the inevitable suffering incalculable. Do not stain the fair fame of the country. . . . Nations of dependent Indians, against their will, under color of law, are driven from their homes into the wilderness. You cannot explain it; you cannot reason it away. . . . Our friends will view this measure with sorrow, and our enemies alone with joy. And we ourselves, Sir, when the interests and passions of the day are past, shall look back upon it, I fear, with self-reproach, and a regret as bitter as unavailing.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the House of Representatives, 1858, United States
Government actions displace Indigenous peoples under legal pretenses, causing immense suffering; future generations will regret these injustices.
In simple terms: Forced removal of Native Americans caused great pain; later remorse.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge historical injustices.
Themes
history
colonialism
justice
remorse
policy
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
educational
commemorative
When to use this quote
- Educational curricula
- legal reform
- memorials
Key Concepts
Land rights
legal ethics
reconciliation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies heal from past wrongs?
- What responsibilities do we have to descendants?
A Different Perspective
Historical narratives often ignore victim perspectives.
![“Pain in life is inevitable but suffering is not. Pain is what the world does to you, suffering is what you do to yourself [by the way you think about the 'pain' you receive]. Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. [You can always be grateful that the pain is not worse in quality, quantity…” quote by Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/faa/gautama-buddha-163_be-grateful_pain-in-life-is-inevitable-but-suffering_611620.jpg)
