“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Seven of the most famous words in American history, from The Declaration of Independence, written mostly by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. The original wording of “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable” was edited by Benjamin Franklin to rephrase it as “We hold these truths to be self-evident”.
What is the meaning of self-evident? I don’t have to ask Ben or Tom. Self-Evident is knowing for yourself what is true. Self-evident is using your own mind and reasoning. Self-evident is making your own evidence.
Prove to yourself what is right for you. The signers of the Declaration of Independence declared that what was right for their own selves. Life. Liberty. The pursuit of Happiness.
If you like those words, please keep living them. But if you don’t like those words, find some other words and keep living those. The French prefer Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. Brazil promotes Order and Progress. India knows that Truth alone Triumphs.
America is not about preaching one way over the other, America is about accepting differing ideas and making sure that every individual is able to live freely. There are no borders to ideas. There are no walls that can keep humanity from living its chosen destiny. America is just as much an idea, a way of life, a perspective on the world, as it is a physical place.
What truths do you hold to be self-evident?
For me, I’ll stick with Life, Liberty, and Happiness.
-The Happy President, January 22, 2019
The Happy President 