Quote by Walter Lippmann
Upon the standard to which the wise and honest will now repair it is written: You have lived the easy way; henceforth, you will live the hard way. You came into a great heritage made by the insight and the sweat and the blood of inspired and devoted and courageous men; thoughtlessly and in utmost self-indulgence you have all but squandered this inheritance. Now only by the heroic virtues which made this inheritance can you restore it again. You took the good things for granted. Now you must earn them again. For every right that you cherish, you have a duty which you must fulfill. For every hope that you entertain, you have a task that you must perform. For every good that you wish to preserve, you will have to sacrifice your comfort and your ease. There is nothing for nothing any longer.
Summary
This quote emphasizes that individuals must adopt a new mindset, shifting from a life of ease and entitlement to one that demands hard work and virtue. It highlights how society has taken for granted its heritage, built upon the efforts and sacrifices of previous generations. The quote suggests that restoring this inheritance requires the embodiment of heroic virtues and a willingness to put in the necessary effort. It also implies that rights, hopes, and preservation of the good can only be realized through personal sacrifices and the abandonment of a "something for nothing" mentality.
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