The Importance Of Principles To Stand Like A Rock By Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson once said, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” A simpler explanation of this quote is that while it is good to follow with current trends in terms of style, one should never abandon his/her principles. People in current times find themselves in a world where sticking to the social norms is held to high regards by most people, and anyone out of the social norms is usually looked down upon or seen as strange. While I personally disagree with the quote’s first statement, I agree completely with Jefferson’s opinion on matters of principle. To “stand like a rock” means that someone should stick to their own principles even if it means going against the socially accepted norm. It is most important to stay true to oneself instead of

thinking similarly to others; someone’s principles shapes who he/she is and who he/she becomes as a person.
Throughout anyone’s life, he/she will observe that everyone holds different principles and opinions.

When people spend a lot of time with the same friends, they may find themselves faltering in their own principles and sticking more to the principles of their friends. Jefferson wants people to not follow the principles of their friends, but stick to their own principles always. The principles we hold shape us as people. Whether it is a principle of belief such as religion or politics or a principle of behavior and attitude, our principles form the basis of who we become throughout our lives and how we affect the world. By sticking to our principles, we stick to ourselves in a way; anyone who abandons his/her principles is abandoning their true character. However, it is fine to listen to other people’s principles and possibly adapt them to our own, but one should never adopt a principle simply because it is the popular principle to hold. Many throughout their lives succumb to the social norms and find themselves no longer an individual; by sticking to one’s principles, he/she is the only one controlling his/her future and the one who chooses the person he/she will

become.
Many people of today abandon their own principles and fit themselves into whatever norms society deems fit at the present time. If we “stand like a rock” as Jefferson says and stick to our principles, we form our own characters and shape who we become as individuals. It is important for people to stick to their own principles as it will turn the world into a world of individuals and encourage people to stray from social norms and form their own characters.