Divine grace Quote by Calvin Coolidge
““Our government rests upon religion. It is from that source that we derive our reverence for truth and justice, for equality and liberality, and for the rights of mankind. Unless the people believe in these principles they cannot believe in our government. There are only two main theories of government in our world. One rests on righteousness and the other on force. One appeals to reason, and the other appeals to the sword. One is exemplified in the republic, the other is represented by despotism. The government of a country never gets ahead of the religion of a country. There is no way by which we can substitute the authority of law for the virtue of man. Of course we endeavor to restrain the vicious, and furnish a fair degree of security and protection by legislation and police control, but the real reform which society in these days is seeking will come as a result of our religious convictions, or they will not come at all. Peace, justice, humanity, charity—these cannot be legislated into being. They are the result of divine grace.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Nation, 1925
Government legitimacy depends on shared moral and religious values, not merely law or force.
In simple terms: Governments need moral foundations, not just rules.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate ethical values in society.
Themes
government
morality
religion
law
justice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public policy
- education
- community building
- legal reform
Key Concepts
social contract
civil virtue
theocracy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster shared ethics without religion?
- What role does law play when moral consensus is weak?
A Different Perspective
Secular societies may achieve similar outcomes without religion.
