I used to believe in the natural inequalities among men as though men had different natures. I still believe men have different aptitudes, but I have come to understand the Declaration in the same way Lincoln does:
"I think that the authors of that noble instrument intended to include all me, but they did not intend to declare all men equal in all respects. They did not mean to say that all were equal in color, size, intellect, moral developments or social capacity. They defined, with tolerable distinctness, in what respects they did consider all men created equal--equal in "certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
This they said, and this meant. They did not mean to assert the obvious untruth, that all were then enjoying that equality, nor yet, that they were about to confer it immediately upon them. In fact, they had no power to confer such a boon. They meant simply to declare the right, so that the enforcement of it might follow as fast as circumstances permit.
They meant to set up a standard maxim for a free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all; constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere.
The assertion that "all men are created equal" was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain; and it was placed in the Declaration, not for that, but for future use. Its authors meant it to be... a stumbling block to those who, in after times, might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.
They knew the proneness of prosperity to breed tyrants, and they meant when such should reappear in this fair land and commence their vocation, they should find left for them at least one hard nut to crack."
That fairly well sums it up.
When the Declaration comes up, many take "self-evident" to mean that all men are born knowing it. This is a mistake, for almost nothing is self-evident in that way.
Self-evident, in the usage of the time, meant available to any man who will deploy the full and proper use of his reason in seeking it. Opinion, mores and interest can all get in the way.
Men are not born knowing the ratios of octaves, but they are self-evident. Double or halve the length of your string, and you will have an octave.
"I think that the authors of that noble instrument intended to include all me, but they did not intend to declare all men equal in all respects. They did not mean to say that all were equal in color, size, intellect, moral developments or social capacity. They defined, with tolerable distinctness, in what respects they did consider all men created equal--equal in "certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
This they said, and this meant. They did not mean to assert the obvious untruth, that all were then enjoying that equality, nor yet, that they were about to confer it immediately upon them. In fact, they had no power to confer such a boon. They meant simply to declare the right, so that the enforcement of it might follow as fast as circumstances permit.
They meant to set up a standard maxim for a free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all; constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting the happiness and value of life to all people of all colors everywhere.
The assertion that "all men are created equal" was of no practical use in effecting our separation from Great Britain; and it was placed in the Declaration, not for that, but for future use. Its authors meant it to be... a stumbling block to those who, in after times, might seek to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism.
They knew the proneness of prosperity to breed tyrants, and they meant when such should reappear in this fair land and commence their vocation, they should find left for them at least one hard nut to crack."
That fairly well sums it up.
When the Declaration comes up, many take "self-evident" to mean that all men are born knowing it. This is a mistake, for almost nothing is self-evident in that way.
Self-evident, in the usage of the time, meant available to any man who will deploy the full and proper use of his reason in seeking it. Opinion, mores and interest can all get in the way.
Men are not born knowing the ratios of octaves, but they are self-evident. Double or halve the length of your string, and you will have an octave.
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