--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We . . . declared our independence 200…" description: "\"We . . . declared our independence 200 years ago, and we are not about to lose it now to paper shufflers and computers.\" — Gerald R. Ford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/gerald-r-ford-2628_computer_we-declared-our-independence-200-years-a_933512.jpg" --- # We . . . declared our independence 200 years ago, and we… ![“We . . . declared our independence 200 years ago, and we are not about to lose it now to paper shufflers and computers.” quote by Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/gerald-r-ford-2628_computer_we-declared-our-independence-200-years-a_933512.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/gerald-r-ford-2628_computer_we-declared-our-independence-200-years-a_933512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/gerald-r-ford-2628_computer_we-declared-our-independence-200-years-a_933512.jpg) > “We . . . declared our independence 200 years ago, and we are not about to lose it now to paper shufflers and computers.” [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Independence must be defended against complacency and technological threats. **In simple terms:** Protect independence from complacency and tech. Key Takeaway Stay vigilant against erosion of freedom. Themes freedom technology vigilance Mood determined serious Type political advice When to use this quote - policy making - education - cybersecurity Key Concepts political theory digital ethics Questions to Reflect On - What modern forces threaten autonomy? - How can societies guard against them? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Computer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computer/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) ## Related quotes > [If our Founding Fathers wanted us to care about the rest of the world, they wouldn't have declared their independence from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/if-our-founding-fathers-wanted-us-to-care-about-the-rest-of-the-world/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [In 1949, China declared independence - an event known in Western discourse as 'the loss of China' in the U.S. - with bitter recriminations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/in-1949-china-declared-independence-an-event-known-in-western/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The further away we get from the concept of 1776 and why we declared our independence and how we declared our independence. The further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-robinson/the-further-away-we-get-from-the-concept-of-1776-and-why-we-declared/) [Mark Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-robinson/) > [What better day to lay the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower than the day our country declared its independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pataki/what-better-day-to-lay-the-cornerstone-of-the-freedom-tower-than-the/) [George Pataki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pataki/) > [Russia also declared its independence. This was approved by the Supreme Soviet, and you know and remember that there was the Declaration on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-yeltsin/russia-also-declared-its-independence-this-was-approved-by-the/) [Boris Yeltsin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-yeltsin/) > [Our founding fathers declared independence from Great Britain because they were dissatisfied with the laws and policies that they believed abridged their freedoms. Had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-van-gundy/our-founding-fathers-declared-independence-from-great-britain-because/) [Stan Van Gundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-van-gundy/) > [It was on this day that the Bahamas declared independence. Before that they were a British colony. The British Empire lost Canada and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/it-was-on-this-day-that-the-bahamas-declared-independence-before-that/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [In fact, as soon as it declared independence, Ukraine should have been quietly encouraged to fashion its own nuclear deterrent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/in-fact-as-soon-as-it-declared-independence-ukraine-should-have-been/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [“The founders of modern Burma believed that they could guarantee prosperity and happiness by correctly choosing the moment for the rebirth of our country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-founders-of-modern-burma-believed-that-they-could-guarantee/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When the country’s founding fathers declared independence from Dutch colonists in 1945, the declaration read, in its entirety: ‘We, the people of Indonesia, hereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-pisani/when-the-country-s-founding-fathers-declared-independence-from-dutch/) [Elizabeth Pisani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-pisani/) > [You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/you-convey-too-great-a-compliment-when-you-say-that-i-have-earned-the/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [ That statement \[ Stephen Ambrose:'You, Sam, have the hardest job, which is, pretend like nothing has happened in the last 200 years.'\] woke me… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-abell/that-statement-stephen-ambrose-you-sam-have-the-hardest-job-which-is/) [Sam Abell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-abell/) > [What's taken God 200 years to create was wiped out in a couple of days by what was apparently an arsonist, And it just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-janklow/what-s-taken-god-200-years-to-create-was-wiped-out-in-a-couple-of/) [Bill Janklow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-janklow/) > [All authors secretly hope that their works will be read in 100 years' time and 200 years, and that they will somehow survive into the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sjon/all-authors-secretly-hope-that-their-works-will-be-read-in-100-years/) [Sjon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sjon/) ## More by Gerald R. Ford > [My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/my-fellow-americans-our-long-national-nightmare-is-over-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [One of the enduring truths of the nation's capital is that bureaucrats survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/one-of-the-enduring-truths-of-the-nation-s-capital-is-that/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-old-question-still-remains-can-a-free-people-restrain-crime/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The Federal role in overcoming barriers to needed health care should emphasize health care financing programs-such as Medicare and Medicaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-federal-role-in-overcoming-barriers-to-needed-health-care-should/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/america-now-is-stumbling-through-the-darkness-of-hatred-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-political-lesson-of-watergate-is-this-never-again-must-america/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to-know-not-only-what-the/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-but/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It's more like it is now than it ever has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/it-s-more-like-it-is-now-than-it-ever-has-been/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Let America symbolize humanity's struggle to conquer nature and master technology. The time has now come for our Government to facilitate the individual's control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/let-america-symbolize-humanity-s-struggle-to-conquer-nature-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-pro-offers-from-the-detroit-lions-and-green-bay-packers-who/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) [Explore all 157 Gerald R. Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More Computer quotes > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [The display is the computer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hsun-huang/the-display-is-the-computer/) Jen-Hsun Huang > [It's interesting that the greatest minds of computer science, the founding fathers, like Alan Turing and Claude Shannon and Norbert Wiener, they all looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/it-s-interesting-that-the-greatest-minds-of-computer-science-the/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [One of our big goals in search is to make search that really understands exactly what you want, understands everything in the world. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/one-of-our-big-goals-in-search-is-to-make-search-that-really/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [I'm from the South, so I'm very old-fashioned and I'm not very computer savvy at all, but I'm getting it. I understand that, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-harmon/i-m-from-the-south-so-i-m-very-old-fashioned-and-i-m-not-very/) [Angie Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-harmon/) > [“To all the secret writers, late-night painters, would-be singers, lapsed and scared artists of every stripe, dig out your paintbrush, or your flute, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/to-all-the-secret-writers-late-night-painters-would-be-singers-lapsed/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [A little bit more than 50% of what you see on screen is handcrafted and the other 50% was about emulating these textures on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-abreu/a-little-bit-more-than-50-of-what-you-see-on-screen-is-handcrafted/) [Alex Abreu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-abreu/) > [Well I'm trying to think what I put in... 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