What the puritans gave the world was not thought, but action

What the puritans gave the world was not thought, but action

Wendell Phillips, a prominent abolitionist and advocate for social reform in the 19th century, believed that the puritans did not contribute to the world through their thoughts, but rather through their actions. This statement reflects Phillips' belief in the power of activism and the importance of taking concrete steps to bring about change.

The puritans were a religious group that emerged in England in the 16th century and later settled in North America. They were known for their strict adherence to moral and religious principles, as well as their emphasis on hard work and self-discipline. While the puritans were certainly thinkers, with their writings and sermons shaping the intellectual landscape of their time, Phillips argued that their true impact on the world came from their actions.

One of the key actions taken by the puritans was their establishment of communities based on their religious beliefs. These communities were often tightly knit and focused on living according to the puritan ideals of piety and moral purity. Through their actions, the puritans created a model of communal living that influenced later generations of Americans and helped shape the cultural and social landscape of the United States.