The United States and Virtue

Here are the thoughts shared with us by some of our founding fathers. Just a little something to ponder about liberty and our country's future.

"Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people. The general government . .  can never be in danger of degenerating into a monarchy, an oligarchy, an aristocracy, or any despotic or oppresive form so long as there is any virtue in the body of the people."
George Washington

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."
Benjamin Franklin

"Laws without morals are in vain."
Benjamin Franklin (Motto of the University of Pennsylvania)

"It is in the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigour. . . . degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats into the heart of its laws and constitution."
Thomas Jefferson

"When virtue is banished, ambition invades the minds of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community."
Montesquieu (written by Thomas Jefferson in his Common Place Book).

"To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea."
James Madison

". . . Virtue, morality, and religion. This is the armor, my friend, and this alone that renders us invincible. These are the tactics we should study. If we lose these, we are conquered, fallen indeed . . . so long as our manners and principles remain sound, there is no danger."
Patrick Henry

"Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
Patrick Henry

"The only foundation of a free Constitution, is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People, in a great Measure, than they have it now. They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty.
John Adams

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net."
John Adams

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
John Adams

"Liberty can no more exist without virtue and independence than the body can live and move without a soul."
John Adams

"Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics."
John Adams

"[I]t is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue."
John Adams

God help us all,

 

Kathi Linz

Here's the Original Quote

Chick-Fil-A CEO Cathy was interviewed by the Baptist Press for their Christian magazine.  Here's what he said: Cathy told The Baptist Press that, “We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” Cathy said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.” Supporters of gay marriage criticized Cathy for his comments saying they were “bigoted and hateful.” I somehow don't see the bigoted hatefulness in that statement.  I am not wrong to believe that I should stay married to the man I vowed "forsaking all others" and "until death do us part".  If someone wants to do something else, why are they allowed to say I am wrong and I can't say that they are?  There certainly is a lot of hate on one side of this argument  - and it isn't on my side. I think this may go to a deeper level than "tolerance".  This may fall under the category of conviction.  People who know they have something to hide or believe they have done something shameful tend to get defensive and aggressive when someone shows them a better or more honest way.  Morality cannot be legislated no matter how hard our government tries.  I've also noticed that some organizations demand that their employees do service work outside work hours or may allow them to do it on company time.  Angela's school did this in New Hampshire.  All well and good - except for the heart.  Charity begins in the heart.  So does morality.  Only Jesus can change a heart so these things flow outward instead of being forced upon one. And that is the state of the nation today.