*FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE*
PART 2
Independence is not just a historical milestone but a living embodiment of core values. For countries like India, which celebrated Independence Day recently, it symbolizes the triumph of unity over division and courage over oppression.
It's a reminder of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters to secure the rights of liberty, equality, and justice for all citizens.
Sovereignty and Self-Governance:
A country's independence signifies its right to self-rule, allowing it to establish its own laws, maintain order, and make decisions in the best interest of its people, free from foreign influence.
Identity and Unity:
The struggle for independence and the subsequent celebration of it foster a sense of shared history and national identity. It unifies diverse people under a common flag and shared values, strengthening the fabric of the nation.
Economic and Social Progress:
National independence is often linked to the ability to pursue economic and social policies that serve the country's unique needs, leading to progress, innovation, and self-sufficiency.
The power and profoundness of freedom and independence have been eloquently expressed by leaders, philosophers, and writers throughout history. Here are some of the most powerful quotes that highlight their sweetness and essentiality:
On the Essentiality of Freedom
"Life without liberty is like a body without spirit." - Kahlil Gibran
This quote beautifully captures the idea that freedom is not just a luxury, but the very essence of existence, without which life is hollow and meaningless.
"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul." - Moshe Dayan
A simple, yet powerful metaphor, suggesting that a person's spirit cannot breathe, thrive, or live without the presence of freedom.
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves." - Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's words speak to the moral and ethical foundation of freedom, emphasizing that it is a universal right that cannot be selectively applied.
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
This quote highlights the idea that freedom is an ongoing struggle and a personal responsibility, not a passive gift to be received.
On the Sweetness of Independence
"Independence is happiness." - Susan B. Anthony
This is a concise and direct statement that links personal autonomy and self-reliance to a state of contentment and joy.
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will." - Charlotte Brontë
From her novel Jane Eyre, this famous line is a declaration of personal independence and a refusal to be confined by social or gender expectations.
"The sense of independence and security is very sweet." - Susan B. Anthony
This quote expands on her previous one, connecting independence to a feeling of security, which together form a very satisfying and "sweet" state of being.
"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson's words describe the ultimate form of independence: maintaining one's individuality and integrity even while surrounded by the pressures of society. He calls this a "perfect sweetness," suggesting a profound inner peace.
Grateful thanks to Google Gemini for its help and support in creating this blogpost
To be continued..
Part 3
Remembering the painful and horrible days of our slavery: A Lesson for the Future
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