"if a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be" - Thomas Jefferson (1816)
I don't understand this quote..can anyone interpret this well enough for me...enough so I can write a 14 line poem on it?! THANKS!
Best answer WILL get 10 pointss!
2006-10-24 08:24:14 · 12 answers · asked by Lina 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
If a nation wants to be unaware of the rest of the world and live as they choose,in a civilized world the nation has an expectation of something that never existed and will never exist.
more importantly, what does it say to you? because a good poem is aboout what it will say to you.
2006-10-24 08:32:52 · answer #1 · answered by sev1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we do not pay attention to the sacrifices that were made in the past that gave us and allowed us our freedom, we are less likely to make those sacrifices again so that we can continue with our current freedoms as well as ones we will need in the future.
It is impossible to be thankful for what we have today if we did not know the amount of sacrifices and human sufferings that went into obtaining our rights.
For example, the war in Iraq. If we won, it would be important for future generations to understand the amount of lives we have lost to stand up for the rights of others. This is a dramatic change in people's rights that needs to be preserved so that future generations understand how they got their freedom and how to defend their freedom.
Another way to look at it too is think of the mistakes you have made and what consequences came from those mistakes. You have probably changed the way you deal with certain situations to avoid those consequences. If you didn't, and chose to ignore them, then each time you repeated this same mistake, it would be like the first time all over again.
2006-10-24 08:56:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ooooohhhhh, 10 points! It means a civilized nation can't be ignorant and free at the same time. Either you give up your freedom because you're ignorant or you wise up and defend yourself from those things that would take away your freedom.
2006-10-24 08:28:51 · answer #3 · answered by Spud55 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that no civilized nation can be both ignorant and free, it has never happened before. You need to take an active role in your nation in order to protect your freedom
2006-10-24 08:27:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ignorant means stupid or not aware of
and free of course means to be able to do whatever you want when you want to do it
this is contradictory to being in the state of civilization becuase to be a civilization people need to be civil to each other
that means that people don't go around killing other people just because they can---there needs to be laws
so you can never mix ingnorant and free with civility
2006-10-24 08:29:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that if a nation expects to be civilized and free, it cannot be ignorant; if a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it won't be civilized; if a nation expects to be civilized and ignorant, it won't be free.
2006-10-24 08:30:01 · answer #6 · answered by curious george 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being willing to do what it takes, even when it is hard work, is rewarded by successes, and the possiblity of success through hard work is what fuels the mind and body to keep trying. No progress would ever be made if it were not for ones will to try, with faith, that success will be had.
2016-05-22 08:29:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you can't be a dumbass and expect things to be great. It means people need to monitor and participate in government. It means if we don't keep our eyes on Washington, we're stuffed.
2006-10-24 08:28:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that citizens need to be aware and educated on whats going on in their government or they will be taken advantage of
2006-10-24 08:28:10 · answer #9 · answered by Smashley 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowledge is freedom. You can't be free and ignorant. It doesn't exist.
Knowledge will set you free.
2006-10-24 08:27:29 · answer #10 · answered by makawao_kane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋