THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.
What does he mean by "sunshine patriot" and "summer soldier"
2007-10-22 18:00:10 · 2 answers · asked by Chestudent 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
The "sunshine patriot" and "summer soldier" are like "fair weather friends". They are around looking helpful as long as everything is going well, but if there is trouble they are nowhere to be found. If there is work to be done, danger to themselves, or any unpleasant situations to be overcome, they will not be the ones to do it. They will "shrink from the service of their country" i.e. avoid doing anything dangerous to help the nation as a whole.
2007-10-22 18:15:43 · answer #1 · answered by don_sv_az 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
By summer and sunshine, he is using terms that imply easy, cheerful times. He is saying that there are some people that are only patriots and soldiers when it is easy and convenient to be them. He then goes on to contrast that with people who will be patriots and soldiers in difficult times, and then goes on to list reasons why it is better go through the difficult times. The implication is that you don't want to be a "sunshine patriot" or "summer soldier".
He is trying to get people to agree with the idea of the American Revolution, by saying that it will be difficult but rewarding.
2007-10-22 18:21:30 · answer #2 · answered by DirtyFrank 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋