“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” — Thomas Jefferson
The idea of standing like a rock resonated with me: I just appreciate the strength, resoluteness, and power it suggests. Unfortunately, the further I delved into this quotation, the more I realized that Jefferson may have been a sage of sorts for his time, but we seem to mostly have abandoned his advice. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
How do we understand the meaning of style? We can only guess at Jefferson’s meaning, but here is a collection of definitions:
- The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed.
- The combination of distinctive features of literary or artistic expression, execution, or performance characterizing a particular person, group, school, or era.
- Sort; type.
I’d wager that the second definition was likely what Jefferson meant. But would his statement hold true today?
I think not. We can no longer afford to swim with the currents that have flooded our society. The “style” people want us to adopt are superficial but not casual; they have been turned into dictates and laws. Preferences of many on the Left now demand that we not only allow them to exist alongside us, but we must accept them and promote them. We must adopt gender pronouns, transgenderism, hatred for law enforcement and moral relativism. Our pursuing cultural creativity, such as hairstyles, clothing, and conversation, are labeled with the insult of “cultural appropriation.” Peaceful demonstrations to support law enforcement, preserving life, and even religion are frowned on if not condemned. Movies, TV documentaries, and music demonstrate the beliefs of the political Left and condemn any art outside of their mandates. What happens when the turbulent “current” threatens to drown us all?
I found this series of definitions for the word “principle”:
- A basic truth, law, or assumption.
- A rule or standard, especially of good behavior.
- The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments.
When we stand like a rock for principle, what are we describing? Is it possible to agree on any fundamental principles? Are there standards that we all can agree on? Does a “collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments” exist?
And even more challenging is deciding when we can, when we must, “stand like a rock.” What battle are you willing to fight? What hill are you prepared to die on? What moral or ethical tenet are you prepared to embrace, even when you fear retribution?
It is clear that we must create and clarify our own “style” and “principles” and be prepared to defend them.
I think that’s what Jefferson would have wanted us to do.
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