Literary Jewels from Obama's Inaugural Speech

The winds of change have swept across America. The precursor is the man “whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.” This    year old, Barack Obama with a towering and commanding personality chose to be sworn in with his full name Barack Hossein Obama.

The reason why a political event has made it to a literary blog is his well-worded and literary speech. I share with you some of his meaningful quotes from his inaugural speech:

“Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.”

“…our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”

“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.”

He also quoted the following lines: "Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

Obama finished his speech with the following brilliant, very meaningful words; giving his speech a perfect finishing touch – ending on a hopeful and promising note:

“With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”