More from Edith Wharton
There are two ways of spreading light—to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
“Vesalius in Zante (1564)”, in North American Review (November 1902), p. 631No insect hangs its nest on threads as frail as those which will sustain the weight of human vanity.
The House of Mirth (1905), ch. X, pg. 69In context- “Xingu” (1911), from Xingu and Other Stories (1916)
More about freedom
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson1743–1826Letter to William Stephens Smith (13 November 1787). Manuscript at the Library of Congress.The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance.
John Philpot Curran1750–1817Often credited to Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin1706–1790This was first used by Franklin for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its “Reply to the Governor” (November 11, 1755) Reply to the Governor