When liberals finally grasped the strength of popular feeling

Hearken, seekers of wisdom, to the words of Christopher Lasch, who observed the currents of society with discerning eye: "When liberals finally grasped the strength of popular feeling about the family, they cried to appropriate the rhetoric and symbolism of family values for their own purposes." In these words lies a meditation on the power of symbols, the sway of sentiment, and the ways in which ideals may be claimed, reshaped, or exploited. Lasch teaches that understanding the emotional and cultural weight of a concept is essential, yet cautions against its superficial or opportunistic use.

The first revelation is that family, as a symbol, carries immense force within the hearts of the people. It embodies nurture, belonging, continuity, and moral grounding. Lasch observes that this symbolic power is recognized across the spectrum of political and social thought. Those who perceive it can seek to harness its authority, often aligning themselves rhetorically with its virtues even if their deeper agendas diverge. To wield such a symbol without understanding its depth and lived meaning is to risk hollow imitation or disconnection.

History provides vivid illustrations of this truth. Consider the Roman Republic, where the figure of the paterfamilias symbolized civic virtue and moral leadership. Political actors invoked the authority of the family to inspire loyalty, obedience, and shared purpose among citizens. Yet the rhetoric alone did not suffice; the integrity of action and the lived reality of responsibility determined whether the appeal resonated. Lasch’s insight echoes this ancient lesson: symbols wield strength only when imbued with genuine substance.

Lasch’s observation also warns of the dangers of co-opting sentiment. Political movements or ideologies that merely borrow the language of virtue, such as family values, without respecting its moral and social foundations, risk disillusionment and cynicism. The people perceive when rhetoric is hollow, when symbols are appropriated not to honor their significance, but to serve strategic ambitions. This lesson endures across ages: authenticity and alignment between words, symbols, and deeds are essential for enduring influence.

The metaphor of appropriating family values for ulterior purposes extends beyond politics to culture, commerce, and media. Corporations, artists, and institutions may invoke shared ideals to inspire trust, loyalty, or admiration, yet their success depends upon resonance with genuine human experience. Like the ancient sages who taught through parables, symbols must connect to lived reality; otherwise, their power is fleeting. Lasch teaches discernment, urging reflection upon how cultural forces are invoked and received.

Consider the life of Abraham Lincoln, who understood the moral weight of family, home, and shared sacrifice. In speeches and letters, he evoked the sanctity of the household not for political gain alone, but to reinforce unity, compassion, and shared responsibility amidst the ravages of civil war. Here, rhetoric aligned with reality, and the symbolism of family became a guiding principle, demonstrating the enduring strength of authentic connection between ideals and action.

Practically, the lesson is to recognize the power of cultural symbols, to respect their meaning, and to act with integrity when invoking them. One must discern between genuine resonance and opportunistic appropriation, understanding that true influence flows from alignment of speech, action, and moral grounding. Engage with ideals deeply, lest they be reduced to hollow instruments of persuasion.

Thus, let this teaching echo through the generations: the strength of popular feeling is immense, yet symbols such as the family are sacred and not to be lightly claimed. Use the rhetoric and symbolism of ideals with care, authenticity, and reverence. In aligning words with action and principle, one ensures that the enduring power of these symbols inspires, guides, and uplifts, rather than deceives, manipulates, or diminishes the very values they represent.