Thomas à Kempis said that no matter where we are, what we are doing or what the latest distraction is, we must always remain free inside and in control of our emotions and actions. There are many things that happen around us, but we can control our circumstances with our response. Only in doing so, can we remain free, neither a servant to environment nor ‘society’. By vigilance and diligence, we remain free men, never groveling before the state.
The Founding Father’s knew this well. Call them imperfect people for the things they did wrong, but simultaneously acknowledge the imperfection that resides in you. While weighing that, ask yourself about their virtues and compare them to your own. They saw clearly the good and the bad in all men and accounted for it accordingly. That is why they could foresee current trends. George Washington pointed out that if individuals ever became indifferent to maintaining this internal freedom, then no human rights or government law will be able to stand against the steamroller of ambitious politicians eager to gain control over daily life. They will be aided in their authoritarianism by the crippling wounds made by those who “only live once” rather than being met with the strength of those who will live forever.
Justice Thomas is fond of quoting Thomas à Kempis and George Washington. For the direct quotes and outstanding insights from Justice Thomas himself, please see the following:
Clarence Thomas and the Lost Constitution by Myron Magnet
Comments