Tuesday, December 18, 2012

The Regimen of Our Barbarous Ancestors



I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.

Thomas Jefferson, as quoted and inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial,
Washington, D.C. 

5 comments:

  1. I have never been aware that he said that.
    Well...so much for the Constitution not being a living document.

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  2. Can we please make sure that each and every legislator reads and fully understands these words before taking office? Please?

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  3. I love that saying - never read it before. Thank you for posting it.

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