Since today is Christmas, I wanted to keep today’s entry brief. With all the festivities going on around this time of year, it is easy to be caught up in all the gifts, music, and lights, and while all of these things are fun and should be enjoyed, it is important to not lose focus on all of the things that bring us true joy. So while you are enjoying all of the fun that comes at this time of year, don’t forget to continue working toward personal virtue, because that is what can lead to the most happiness in your life.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday full of joy,

Publius

Voltaire declared that it is “difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”

About 44BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated by Brutus and other Roman senators because they were through with his tyranny. When they had done so, they expected the people to be thrilled to be rid of such a dictator as Caesar but instead, these Roman senators found that the people were angry, because though Caesar was a tyrant, he provided them with protection, food, and entertainment. While we may say, “Caesar was awful, why wouldn’t they have rejoiced to be rid of him?”, we often catch ourselves doing the same thing. Any time someone speaks against something the government is doing, many people tend to defend and justify their tyrannical actions, simply because it benefits them. When people fight against tyranny and for liberty, people get uncomfortable because that is going against what they have been taught.

On a more personal level, there are so many things that surround us that we know can harm our virtue, or harm us physically, yet we still decide to participate in it, disregarding the negative effects it may have on us. Many times, we choose the short lived pleasure over a long time of peace and virtue, simply because it is easier to do so. C.S Lewis taught, “Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” When we are strong enough to resist taking the easy path that will lead us astray, and instead take the path of virtue, we will rejoice in the liberty that we will receive, instead of complain of the worldly pleasures we have lost. To quote Patrick Henry once again, “Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings, give us that precious jewel, and you may have everything else.” Nothing the world can give us can amount to the value and blessing of liberty. It will give us more peace, more strength, and more joy than any phone, tv show, or car. Liberty is truly the most precious jewel, and it is time we treat it as such.

Yours truly,

Publius

The first amendment to the Constitution is the freedom of religion, press, speech, and assembly. The one thing all of these have in common, is that they all ensure that the people have the freedom of thought, or, as Thomas Gordon said, “you might think what you would, and speak what you thought”. Today, I want to specifically draw attention to the freedom of speech, which can really include all of the above mentioned freedoms. There is a reason that this was the very first amendment to the Constitution, because while the Constitution guarantees certain “unalienable rights” which include the freedom of speech, there were those who wanted to make sure that this certain right could not be taken away under any circumstances. This freedom of speech is what allows the people to say whatever they wish about the government and what it has become. It allows people to be able to fight against tyranny, and stand up for that which they believe to be right. Thomas Gordon also declared, “that men ought to speak well of their governors… while their governors deserve to be well spoken of; but to do a public mischief, without hearing of it, is only the prerogative and felicity of tyranny: a free people will be shewing that they are so, by their freedom of speech.” The freedom of speech is an important tool to restoring liberty. Not only is it a privilege when we have this freedom, it is our duty to use it to fight against tyranny. All of the principles I have written about; hard work, perseverance, teaching, knowledge, virtue, liberty, and all others, require you to utilize those freedoms mentioned in the first amendment. This is why these freedoms being targeted is so detrimental to the cause of liberty. No matter what, we must continue to say whatever we can for the cause of liberty, even as it grows harder in today’s society to do so. To close with Thomas Gordon’s words, “the defense of liberty is a noble, a heavenly office.” I hope we can all strive toward this noble office, and restore liberty to where it is supposed to be.

Yours truly,

Publius

The subject of knowledge is one I have written about a number of times, but one that can not be stressed enough. William Shakespeare taught, “A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” It is foolish to think that at some point you have learned everything and that you need not seek knowledge anymore. There is so much even the wisest of men still don’t know, and it is impossible to have learned all of the knowledge that the world has to offer. Only once I began reading more than just fictional stories did I realize how little I really know. To be wise is not to know everything, but to recognize how much there is to learn, and to seek out that knowledge. Many people are led to believe that once they have gotten to a certain point, they have learned “enough” and that, though there is more knowledge out there, there is no need to seek it out because it is useless, but I will again use the statement made by James Madison, that “knowledge will forever govern ignorance.” If we refuse to learn all we can, we will be forced into slavery by those who know more than we do. However, if we will take the time and effort required to gain as much knowledge as we can, then we can know more than those who rule over us, and once again obtain liberty. Benjamin Franklin also spoke of the importance of learning. He taught, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” What we learn now, we will not only use in our own lifetimes, but can be taught to others and affect the lives of many more. Knowledge, accompanied by virtue, is the key to a free nation. I encourage you to find every opportunity to seek it out, for yourself and those around you.

Yours truly,

Publius