Assembly Quote by John Adams
“A single assembly will never be a steady guardian of the laws, if Machiavel is right, when he says, Men are never good but through necessity: on the contrary, when good and evil are left to their choice, they will not fail to throw every thing into disorder and confusion. Hunger and poverty may make men industrious, but laws only can make them good; for, if men were so of themselves, there would be no occasion for laws; but, as the case is far otherwise, they are absolutely necessary.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Political philosophy, early American thought
Laws are necessary because people are not inherently good; without necessity, disorder arises, and laws shape virtue.
In simple terms: Laws are needed to guide imperfect people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of institutions in shaping behavior.
Themes
politics
ethics
law
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- civic education
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
social contract
Machiavellian theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Can laws create virtue, or merely enforce it?
- What alternatives exist to law for social order?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on law may ignore personal morality.
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