Tag Archives: Virtue

First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens.” – Joseph Story

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First Principles: While the People Are Virtuous They Cannot Be Subdued; But When Once They Lose Their Virtue Then Will Be Ready To Surrender Their Liberties

“While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” – Samuel Adams (1779)

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First Principles: The Evils We Experience Flow From the Excess of Democracy. The People Do Not Want Virtue, But Are the Dupes of Pretended Patriots

“The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy. The people do not want virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots.” —Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814)

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First Principles: If Virtue and Knowledge Are Diffused Among the People, They Will Never Be Enslaved

“If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.” – Samuel Adams (1779)

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First Principles: It Is Certainly True That A Popular Government Cannot Flourish Without Virtue In the People

“It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.” – Richard Henry Lee, letter to Colonel Martin Pickett, 1786

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First Principles: As Riches Increase and…Luxury Prevails In Society, Virtue Will Be…Considered As Only A Graceful Appendage

“As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as only a graceful appendage of wealth, and the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican … Continue reading

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First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, … Continue reading

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First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens. They Fall, When the Wise Are Banished From the Public Councils

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, … Continue reading

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First Principles: As Riches Increase and Accumulate In Few Hands…the Tendency of Things Will Be To Depart From the Republican Standard

“As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as only a graceful appendage of wealth, and the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: All Government – Indeed, Every Human Benefit and Enjoyment, Every Virtue and Every Prudent Act – Is Founded On Compromise and Barter

“All government — indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act — is founded on compromise and barter.” – Edmund Burke

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