Thursday, March 22, 2012

Day #527 The Declaration of Arbroath

I’m constantly surprised by what I dig up when I’m researching my books. The other day, I discovered the Declaration of Arbroath, which was written (in Latin) and signed on April 6, 1320. It was drawn up at the Abbey of Arbroath, which is where it gets its name.
The declaration itself is very long, and rather wordy, but here’s a small portion that struck me as admirably pertinent:
It is, in truth, not for glory, nor riches, nor honors that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.
The Scots were asking the Pope to support their bid for political independence. We’re talking almost 700 years ago, yet the words sound eerily modern, don’t they?
It really doesn’t matter what you’re interested in, you can always find something more to learn about it. All you have to do is look.
What will you investigate today?
BEEattitude for Day #527:
       Blessed are those who like to explore--lands, bee-yards, ideas--for they shall find delightful surprises.
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The teeny details:
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2 comments:

AggiePete said...

I love that quote - especially the part "...for that alone which no honest man gives up ..."
An honest man: a rare gem indeed these days.

Fran Stewart said...

It used to be nobody thought anything about honesty. It was simply expected. At least, that was the case when I was growing up. But now, I find that people are surprised if they give me too much change and I return the extra.