
§ 4
From Lives and Opinions of the Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius
Source: The Consolations of Philosophy (2000), Chapter I, Consolations For Unpopularity, p. 9.
§ 4
From Lives and Opinions of the Eminent Philosophers by Diogenes Laërtius
The Ethics of Belief (1877), The Duty of Inquiry
Context: Our lives are guided by that general conception of the course of things which has been created by society for social purposes. Our words, our phrases, our forms and processes and modes of thought, are common property, fashioned and perfected from age to age; an heirloom which every succeeding generation inherits as a precious deposit and a sacred trust to be handled on to the next one, not unchanged but enlarged and purified, with some clear marks of its proper handiwork. Into this, for good or ill, is woven every belief of every man who has speech of his fellows. An awful privilege, and an awful responsibility, that we should help to create the world in which posterity will live.
3 June 2010 https://twitter.com/gtdguy/status/15286917857
Official Twitter profile (@gtdguy) https://twitter.com/gtdguy
2015, Naturalization Ceremony speech (December 2015)
Context: Our system of self-government depends on ordinary citizens doing the hard, frustrating but always essential work of citizenship -- of being informed. Of understanding that the government isn’t some distant thing, but is you. Of speaking out when something is not right. Of helping fellow citizens when they need a hand. Of coming together to shape our country’s course. And that work gives purpose to every generation. It belongs to me. It belongs to the judge. It belongs to you. It belongs to you, all of us, as citizens. To follow our laws, yes, but also to engage with your communities and to speak up for what you believe in. And to vote -- to not only exercise the rights that are now yours, but to stand up for the rights of others.
Scotland in the World Forum (February 4, 2008), Church of Scotland (May 25, 2009)
No. 476 (5 September 1712).
The Spectator (1711–1714)
Article from Soviet Russia Today
On the causes of unemployment (1951, pg.147-48) http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=174849