Country Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: The Federalist Papers, 1788
Suggests that good governance depends on the moral character and example of citizens.
In simple terms: Society’s success rests on its people.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate civic virtue.
Themes
government
morality
citizenship
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- community service
- public discourse
Key Concepts
republicanism
civic duty
leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- What virtues are most needed today?
- How can citizens model good behavior?
A Different Perspective
Good institutions can compensate for weak citizens.
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![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
