Adoration Quote by Gouverneur Morris
“Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God. These duties are, internally, love and adoration: externally, devotion and obedience; therefore provision should be made for maintaining divine worship as well as education. But each one has a right to entire liberty as to religious opinions, for religion is the relation between God and man; therefore it is not within the reach of human authority.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address on education and religion, 1790s
The quote argues that moral education should be rooted in religion, yet also affirms individual liberty in belief because religion is a personal relationship with God, not subject to state control.
In simple terms: Religion should guide morals but not be forced by the state.
Key Takeaway
Balance religious moral teaching with freedom of belief.
Themes
morality
religion
education
liberty
state authority
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
reflective
Type
ethical
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- public policy debates
- family religious instruction
- interfaith dialogues
Key Concepts
theistic ethics
personal freedom
separation of church and state
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies teach moral values without imposing a specific faith?
- What role should the state play in religious education?
A Different Perspective
Enforcing religious doctrine can infringe on personal freedoms and pluralism.
![“There must be religion. When that ligament is torn, society is disjointed and its members perish... [T]he most important of all lessons is the denunciation of ruin to every state that rejects the precepts of religion.” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b75/gouverneur-morris-26042_important_there-must-be-religion-when-that-ligamen_1508211.jpg)
![“[F]or avoiding the extremes of despotism or anarchy . . . the only ground of hope must be on the morals of the people. I believe that religion is the only solid base of morals and that morals are the only possible support of free governments. [T]herefore education should teach the precepts of…” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e6/gouverneur-morris-26042_anarchy_f-or-avoiding-the-extremes-of-despotism_622195.jpg)
![“[On the eve of the French Revolution:] It is impossible to imagine a more disorderly Assembly. They neither reason, examine, nor discuss. They clap those whom they approve and hiss those whom they disapprove. . . . Everything almost is elective, and consequently no one obeys. It is an anarchy…” quote by Gouverneur Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77a/gouverneur-morris-26042_freedom_on-the-eve-of-the-french-revolution-it-i_1720772.jpg)
