Quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When a nation which has long groaned under the intolerable yoke of a tyrant rises at last and throws off its chains, do you call that weakness? The man who, to rescue his house from the flames, finds his physical strength redoubled, so that he lifts burdens with ease which in the absence of excitement he could scarcely move; he who under the rage of an insult attacks and puts to flight half a score of his enemies, are such persons to be called weak? My good friend, if resistance be strength, how can the highest degree of resistance be a weakness?


When a nation which has long groaned under the intolerable y

Summary

This quote argues that the act of rising up against a tyrant or fighting back against adversity should not be considered as weakness. It aptly portrays how individuals or nations, after enduring oppression for a long time, find a surge of strength and determination to overcome their oppressors. The comparison is drawn between the physical strength exhibited during moments of urgency and the mental and emotional strength displayed when standing up against injustice. In essence, the quote suggests that resistance, far from being weak, is a testament to one's strength and resolve.

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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