The New Gospel

Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighboring states, we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves.  Its administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy.  If we look to laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if to social standing, advancement in public life falls to the reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way … The freedom that we enjoy in our government, extends also to our ordinary life.  There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbor for doing what he likes … We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning and observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality … We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy; wealth we employ more for use than for show, and place the real disgrace of poverty not in owning to the fact but in declining to struggle against it … our ordinary citizens, though occupied with the pursuits of industry, are still fair judges of public matters; for, unlike any other nation, regarding him who takes no part in these duties not as unambitious but as useless … instead of looking on discussion as a stumbling-block in the way of action, we think it an indispensable preliminary to any wise action … In generosity we are equally singular … it is only the Athenians, who, fearless of consequences, confer their benefits not from calculations of expediency, but in the confidence of liberality. 

The admiration of present and succeeding ages will be ours, since we have not left our power without witness, but have shown mighty proofs … we have forced every sea and land to be the highway of our daring, and everywhere for evil or for good, have left imperishable monuments behind us.