Advancement Quote by Algernon Sidney
“Fruits are always of the same nature with the seeds and roots from which they come, and trees are known by the fruits they bear: as a man begets a man, and a beast a beast, that society of men which constitutes a government upon the foundation of justice, virtue, and the common good, will always have men to promote those ends; and that which intends the advancement of one man's desire and vanity, will abound in those that will foment them.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Discourses on Government, 1768
The character of a society reflects the virtues of its leaders; justice and common good produce noble citizens, while selfish ambition breeds corruption.
In simple terms: Society mirrors its leaders' values.
Key Takeaway
Promote justice and virtue in governance.
Themes
justice
virtue
leadership
society
government
Mood
concerned
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy
- education
- community building
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Political philosophy
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure leaders uphold virtue?
- What mechanisms guard against selfish ambition in government?
A Different Perspective
If leaders lack virtue, the system may still fail despite good intentions.
![“[A]ll popular and well-mixed governments [republics] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than by virtue: The worst men always conspiring against them, they must fall, if the best have not power to preserve them. . . . [and] unless they be preserved in…” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/algernon-sidney-20606_conspiring_a-ll-popular-and-well-mixed-governments_696129.jpg)
![“[L]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . .” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65d/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_l-iberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-mann_1577380.jpg)
