This quote emphasizes the importance of pragmatism in the pursuit of rights and justice. It suggests that while it would be ideal too secure all our rights at once, this may not always be feasible due to various constraints or obstacles.Thus, it’s advisable to adopt a step-by-step approach, securing whatever rights we can at any given moment.
The underlying ideology here is one of incremental progress rather than all-or-nothing extremism. It acknowledges that change often comes gradually and that each small victory brings us closer to our ultimate goal. This perspective encourages resilience and persistence, as well as a realistic understanding of how social change typically occurs.
In today’s world,this idea can be applied in numerous ways. For instance, in the realm of social activism or policy change: instead of getting disheartened by the enormity of issues like climate change or systemic racism, activists can focus on achieving smaller but meaningful victories such as passing local environmental regulations or implementing diversity training programs in workplaces.
Similarly, from a personal development perspective: instead of becoming overwhelmed by large goals (like losing a considerable amount of weight or writing a book), individuals could focus on attainable short-term objectives (like exercising regularly for a month or writing for half an hour each day). By securing these ‘smaller’ victories first, they build momentum towards their larger goals.
Thus Jefferson’s words remind us that progress is often incremental – achieved not through grand gestures but through persistent effort over time. They encourage us to stay resilient and keep striving for improvement even when full success seems distant.
