--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where is the security for property, for…" description: "\"Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?\" — George Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg" --- # Where is the security for property, for reputation, for… ![“Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg) > “Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?” [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Without religious duty, societal bonds like property, reputation, and life lose their moral foundation. **In simple terms:** Faith underpins social order. Key Takeaway U moral responsibility. Themes ethics social contract faith Mood serious reflective Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legal reforms - community service - family decisions Key Concepts civic duty moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do you define duty without religion? - Can law replace moral obligation? A Different Perspective Secular systems can also sustain order. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-morality/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Desert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desert/) [Deserts Oaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deserts-oaths-4284206/) [Farewell address](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/farewell-address/) [Founders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founders/) [Founding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding/) [Founding america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-america/) [Founding fathers anti religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-anti-religion/) [Founding fathers christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-christian/) [Founding fathers religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-religion/) [Founding fathers religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-religious/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Morality and religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-and-religion/) [Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) [Oaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oaths/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Obligation Deserts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation-deserts-4284205/) [Our founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-founding-fathers/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion and government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-and-government/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-obligation-756474/) [Reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reputation/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Us founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us-founding-fathers/) ## Related quotes > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can exist apart from religious principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/reason-and-experience-both-forbid-us-to-expect-that-national-morality-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Let us with Caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/let-us-with-caution-indulge-the-supposition-that-morality-can-be/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/let-it-simply-be-asked-where-is-the-security-for-property-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/of-all-the-dispositions-and-habits-which-lead-to-political-prosperity-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/religion-and-good-morals-are-the-only-solid-foundation-of-public/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-t-is-religion-and-morality-alone-which-can-establish-the-principles/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/without-morals-a-republic-cannot-subsist-any-length-of-time-they/) [Charles Carroll of Carrollton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/) > [Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/among-the-sayings-and-discourses-imputed-to-him-i-e-jesus-by-his/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The Church worked hard at it night and day during nine centuries and imprisoned, tortured, hanged, and burned whole hordes and armies of witches,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-church-worked-hard-at-it-night-and-day-during-nine-centuries-and/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Without Virtue there can be no liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/without-virtue-there-can-be-no-liberty/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [“To be religious is to have an obligation to a particular religion, but to be truly spiritual is to have a commitment to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serena-jade/to-be-religious-is-to-have-an-obligation-to-a-particular-religion-but/) [Serena Jade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serena-jade/) > [All that has been done to weaken the foundation of an implicit faith in the Bible, as a whole, has been at the expense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-g-holland/all-that-has-been-done-to-weaken-the-foundation-of-an-implicit-faith/) [J. G. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-g-holland/) > [I appear, my fellow-citizens, in your presence and in that of Heaven to bind myself by the solemnities of religious obligation to the faithful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-appear-my-fellow-citizens-in-your-presence-and-in-that-of-heaven-to/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) ## More by George Washington > [It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-absolutely-necessary-for-me-to-have-persons-that-can-think-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-whole-duty-of-man-is-summed-up-in-obedience-to-god-s-will/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-turning-points-of-lives-are-not-the-great-moments-the-real-crises/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/interwoven-as-is-the-love-of-liberty-with-every-ligament-of-your/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-blessed-religion-revealed-in-the-word-of-god-will-remain-an/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/while-we-are-contending-for-our-own-liberty-we-should-be-very/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-many-other-weighty-objections-to-the-measure-it-has-been/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/democratical-states-must-always-feel-before-they-can-see-it-is-this/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/if-in-the-opinion-of-the-people-the-distribution-or-modification-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [A man's intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-man-s-intentions-should-be-allowed-in-some-respects-to-plead-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-impossible-to-rightly-govern-the-world-without-god-and-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [My first wish is to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/my-first-wish-is-to-see-this-plague-of-mankind-banished-from-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/lenity-will-operate-with-greater-force-in-some-instances-than-rigor/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Explore all 801 George Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) ## More Christian morality quotes > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/without-morals-a-republic-cannot-subsist-any-length-of-time-they/) [Charles Carroll of Carrollton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/) > [“By setting such strong, harsh dichotomies God taught Israel that any assimilation to pagan idolatry is intolerable. It was His way of preserving Israel’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lane-craig/by-setting-such-strong-harsh-dichotomies-god-taught-israel-that-any/) [William Lane Craig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lane-craig/) > [Because Christian morality leaves animals out of account, they are at once outlawed in philosophical morals; they are mere 'things,' mere means to any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/because-christian-morality-leaves-animals-out-of-account-they-are-at/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/among-the-sayings-and-discourses-imputed-to-him-i-e-jesus-by-his/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“it was much less dangerous for the disciples of Christ to neglect the observance of the moral duties, than to despise the censures and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-was-much-less-dangerous-for-the-disciples-of-christ-to-neglect-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [A strange fanaticism fills our time: the fanatical hatred of morality, especially of Christian morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-strange-fanaticism-fills-our-time-the-fanatical-hatred-of-morality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Christian morality prefers remorse to precede lust, and then lust not to follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/christian-morality-prefers-remorse-to-precede-lust-and-then-lust-not/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [These principles have been proclaimed by God, by the Church, by the Saints, by Christian reason and morals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xii/these-principles-have-been-proclaimed-by-god-by-the-church-by-the/) [Pope Pius XII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xii/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [Although I'm not Christian, I was raised Christian. I'm an atheist, with a slight Buddhist leaning. I've got a very strong sense of morality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-griffiths/although-i-m-not-christian-i-was-raised-christian-i-m-an-atheist-with/) [Rachel Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-griffiths/) > [When one gives up Christian belief one thereby deprives oneself of the right to Christian morality. For the latter is absolutely not self-evident: one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/when-one-gives-up-christian-belief-one-thereby-deprives-oneself-of/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Giving to the poor is an essential part of Christian morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/giving-to-the-poor-is-an-essential-part-of-christian-morality/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [Christian morality, laws rooted in the secular humanist belief that all consensual sexual acts are morally equal. That belief is anti-biblical and amoral; to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/christian-morality-laws-rooted-in-the-secular-humanist-belief-that/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [“It it is worse than useless for Christians to talk about the importance of Christian morality, unless they are prepared to take their stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/it-it-is-worse-than-useless-for-christians-to-talk-about-the/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) [Browse all 48 Christian morality quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-morality/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Washington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/where-is-the-security-for-property-for-reputation-for-life-if-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian morality" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/where-is-the-security-for-property-for-reputation-for-life-if-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2b/george-washington-257_christian-morality_where-is-the-security-for-property-for-r_503783.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts…” — George Washington", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "George Washington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Where is the security for property,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/where-is-the-security-for-property-for-reputation-for-life-if-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/where-is-the-security-for-property-for-reputation-for-life-if-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```