--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My friends, do we realize for what…" description: "\"My friends, do we realize for what purpose we are convened? Do we fully understand that we aim at nothing less than an entire subversion of the present..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/elizabeth-oakes-smith-36095_aim_my-friends-do-we-realize-for-what-purpos_1065120.png" --- # My friends, do we realize for what purpose we are… ![“My friends, do we realize for what purpose we are convened? Do we fully understand that we aim at nothing less than an entire subversion of the present order of society, a dissolution of the whole existing social compact?” quote by Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/elizabeth-oakes-smith-36095_aim_my-friends-do-we-realize-for-what-purpos_1065120.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/elizabeth-oakes-smith-36095_aim_my-friends-do-we-realize-for-what-purpos_1065120.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01e/elizabeth-oakes-smith-36095_aim_my-friends-do-we-realize-for-what-purpos_1065120.png) > “My friends, do we realize for what purpose we are convened? Do we fully understand that we aim at nothing less than an entire subversion of the present order of society, a dissolution of the whole existing social compact?” [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We must question societal structures and aim to fundamentally transform them. **In simple terms:** Seek deep societal change Key Takeaway Challenge existing social contracts. Themes social change revolution philosophy politics Mood critical visionary Type political philosophical When to use this quote - activism - policy reform - public discourse Key Concepts critical theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of society need reform? - How to balance order and transformation? A Different Perspective Radical change can cause instability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Dissolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissolution/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Subversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subversion/) [Women 's rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/women-s-rights/) ## Related quotes > [While most trudge through their days straight-jacketed in the social compact, living for others as much as or more than for themselves, a select…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/while-most-trudge-through-their-days-straight-jacketed-in-the-social/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [What is needed is both a New Deal in terms of mission-oriented investments but also a new deal in terms of a modern social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariana-mazzucato/what-is-needed-is-both-a-new-deal-in-terms-of-mission-oriented/) [Mariana Mazzucato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariana-mazzucato/) > [Ought to have a universal compulsory force to move and arrange each part in the manner best suited to the whole. Just as nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/ought-to-have-a-universal-compulsory-force-to-move-and-arrange-each/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [The great object of the institution of civil government is the improvement of those who are parties to the social compact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/the-great-object-of-the-institution-of-civil-government-is-the/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [Public policy in the twentieth century was about protecting and expanding the social compact, based on recognition that effective government at the federal level…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-bernstein/public-policy-in-the-twentieth-century-was-about-protecting-and/) [Carl Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-bernstein/) > [The social compact sets up among the citizens as equality of such kind, that they all bind themselves to observe the same conditions and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/the-social-compact-sets-up-among-the-citizens-as-equality-of-such/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [In life, you will realize there is a purpose for every person you meet. Some are there to test you, some will use you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/in-life-you-will-realize-there-is-a-purpose-for-every-person-you-meet/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [Seek God, and you will discover yourself, discover yourself and you will realize your purpose for being in this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geraldine-vermaak/seek-god-and-you-will-discover-yourself-discover-yourself-and-you/) [Geraldine Vermaak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geraldine-vermaak/) > [In life youll realize there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, and some will teach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-youll-realize-there-is-a-purpose-for-everyone-you-meet-some/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It took us so long to realize that a purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/it-took-us-so-long-to-realize-that-a-purpose-of-human-life-no-matter/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [“You will find your purpose revealed in every single action, once you realize that — you — are your purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-will-find-your-purpose-revealed-in-every-single-action-once-you/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [In life you'll realize there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will teach you, and some will use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ditaba-daniel/in-life-you-ll-realize-there-is-a-purpose-for-everyone-you-meet-some/) Ditaba Daniel > [In life you will realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-life-you-will-realize-that-there-is-a-purpose-for-everyone-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If only we could realize that our purpose is to be caretakers. We are responsible for leading our flock to the place where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/if-only-we-could-realize-that-our-purpose-is-to-be-caretakers-we-are/) [T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/) > [In Life you'll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you, and some will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdelghani/in-life-you-ll-realize-that-there-is-a-purpose-for-everyone-you-meet/) [Abdelghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdelghani/) ## More by Elizabeth Oakes Smith > [We're disappointed because you think the neighborhood is safe, it's very quiet here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/we-re-disappointed-because-you-think-the-neighborhood-is-safe-it-s/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [The tender violet bent in smiles To elves that sported nigh, Tossing the drops of fragrant dew To scent the evening sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/the-tender-violet-bent-in-smiles-to-elves-that-sported-nigh-tossing/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [Spain- a great whale stranded on the shores of Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/spain-a-great-whale-stranded-on-the-shores-of-europe/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [The measure of capacity is the measure of sphere to either man or woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/the-measure-of-capacity-is-the-measure-of-sphere-to-either-man-or/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [Tis rushing now adown the spout, And gushing out below, Half frantic in its joyousness, And wild in eager flow. The earth is dried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/tis-rushing-now-adown-the-spout-and-gushing-out-below-half-frantic-in/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [T is the summer prime, when the noiseless air in perfumed chalice lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/t-is-the-summer-prime-when-the-noiseless-air-in-perfumed-chalice-lies/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [White wing'd angels meet the child On the vestibule of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/white-wing-d-angels-meet-the-child-on-the-vestibule-of-life/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [How beautiful the water is! To me 'tis wondrous fair-- No spot can ever lonely be If water sparkle there; It hath a thousand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/how-beautiful-the-water-is-to-me-tis-wondrous-fair-no-spot-can-ever/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [How few women have any history after the age of thirty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/how-few-women-have-any-history-after-the-age-of-thirty/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [Faith is the subtle chain Which binds us to the infinite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/faith-is-the-subtle-chain-which-binds-us-to-the-infinite/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [Yes, this is life; and everywhere we meet, Not victor crowns, but wailings of defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/yes-this-is-life-and-everywhere-we-meet-not-victor-crowns-but/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) > [Faith is the subtle chain which binds us to the infinite; the voice of a deep life within, that will remain until we crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-oakes-smith/faith-is-the-subtle-chain-which-binds-us-to-the-infinite-the-voice-of/) [Elizabeth Oakes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) [Explore all 13 Elizabeth Oakes Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-oakes-smith/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My friends, do we realize for what purpose we are convened? 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