--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If there is a form of government, then…" description: "\"If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg" --- # If there is a form of government, then, whose principle… ![“If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?” quote by John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg) > “If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?” [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A government rooted in virtue should be recognized as the best means to promote overall happiness. **In simple terms:** Virtue‑based governance benefits all. Key Takeaway Prioritize virtue in political systems. Themes politics virtue happiness philosophy Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy design - civic education - community building - leadership training Key Concepts ethical governance public good social contract Questions to Reflect On - How can virtue be measured in governance? - What safeguards prevent misuse of virtue rhetoric? A Different Perspective Virtue is subjective and contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledge/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Forms of government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forms-of-government/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Foundation Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation-virtue-1701742/) [General Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-happiness-498392/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Government Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government-principle-3689914/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sober/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-sober-4397839/) ## Related quotes > [I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-draw-my-idea-of-the-form-of-government-from-a-principle-in-nature/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The Second Amendment reveals a profound principle of American government - the principle of civilian ascendency over the military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/the-second-amendment-reveals-a-profound-principle-of-american/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-williams/in-a-despotic-government-the-only-principle-by-which-the-tyrant-who/) [Samuel Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-williams/) > [“There are two ways of being happy: We may either diminish our wants or augment our means- either will do- the result in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/there-are-two-ways-of-being-happy-we-may-either-diminish-our-wants-or/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Faith is the foundation of every virtue that strengthens marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-whitney-clayton/faith-is-the-foundation-of-every-virtue-that-strengthens-marriage/) [L. Whitney Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-whitney-clayton/) > [self-preservation is the primary and only foundation of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/self-preservation-is-the-primary-and-only-foundation-of-virtue/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [Look within. The heart is the foundation of virtue; and it is for eternity ready to do virtuous works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-delaroche/look-within-the-heart-is-the-foundation-of-virtue-and-it-is-for/) [Paul Delaroche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-delaroche/) > [Temperance is reason's girdle and passion's bridle, the strength of the soul and the foundation of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/temperance-is-reason-s-girdle-and-passion-s-bridle-the-strength-of/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The pursuit of individual happiness within those limits prescribed by social conditions, is the first requisite to the attainment of the greatest general happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/the-pursuit-of-individual-happiness-within-those-limits-prescribed-by/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [Architecture was my way of expressing my ideals: to be simple, to create a world equal to everyone, to look at people with optimism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-niemeyer/architecture-was-my-way-of-expressing-my-ideals-to-be-simple-to/) [Oscar Niemeyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-niemeyer/) > [Consistency is the foundation of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/consistency-is-the-foundation-of-virtue/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [In fact people do not know enough about themselves and what is good for them to form a sufficiently definite conception of the general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-w-wood/in-fact-people-do-not-know-enough-about-themselves-and-what-is-good/) [Allen W. Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-w-wood/) > [“spite of every lie uttered or printed, the truth comes to the top, and it is known alike by peoples and rulers, that on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/spite-of-every-lie-uttered-or-printed-the-truth-comes-to-the-top-and/) [Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/) > [We profess to be republicans, and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/we-profess-to-be-republicans-and-yet-we-neglect-the-only-means-of/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The real fabric of American society is not all those flags you see on people's cars...it's in the Bill of Rights and in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-real-fabric-of-american-society-is-not-all-those-flags-you-see-on/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More by John Adams > [Historically, usury was defined as any interest whatever on an unproductive loan.Our whole banking system I have ever abhorred, I continue to abhor, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/historically-usury-was-defined-as-any-interest-whatever-on-an/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [We may... affirm that the balance of power in a society accompanies the balance of property in land. The only possible way, then, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/we-may-affirm-that-the-balance-of-power-in-a-society-accompanies-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-longer-i-live-the-more-i-read-the-more-patiently-i-think-and-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Upon common theaters, indeed, the applause of the audience is of more importance to the actors than their own aprobation. But upon the stage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/upon-common-theaters-indeed-the-applause-of-the-audience-is-of-more/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with the commitment, and those who require the commitment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/there-are-only-two-creatures-of-value-on-the-face-of-the-earth-those/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [ I will insist the Hebrews have \[contributed\] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-will-insist-the-hebrews-have-contributed-more-to-civilize-men-than/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/government-is-instituted-for-the-common-good-for-the-protection/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Make Things rather than Persons the subjects of conversations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/make-things-rather-than-persons-the-subjects-of-conversations/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Religion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/religion-and-virtue-are-the-only-foundations-not-of-republicanism-and/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-universal-object-and-idol-of-men-of-letters-is-reputation/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/i-consider-a-decent-respect-for-christianity-among-the-best/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) [Explore all 495 John Adams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) ## More Acknowledge quotes > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) [Frank B. Wilderson III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-b-wilderson-iii/) > [I'm a Christian because Christianity names and addresses sin. It acknowledges the reality that the evil we observe in the world is also present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-held-evans/i-m-a-christian-because-christianity-names-and-addresses-sin-it/) [Rachel Held Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-held-evans/) > [The only way to ease our fear and be truly happy is to acknowledge our fear and look deeply at its source. Instead of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-ease-our-fear-and-be-truly-happy-is-to-acknowledge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/on-thanksgiving-day-we-acknowledge-our-dependence/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [You can't go into games with any fear. You can acknowledge a good team but you can't go in worrying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/you-can-t-go-into-games-with-any-fear-you-can-acknowledge-a-good-team/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [Conservative feminism is such an artificial term that doesn't mean much to me. For me conservatism means accepting reality. I acknowledge that there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-schroder/conservative-feminism-is-such-an-artificial-term-that-doesn-t-mean/) [Kristina Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristina-schroder/) > [We must acknowledge that bearing and raising children is not some pesky, peripheral activity that we engage in, but the whole point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-maushart/we-must-acknowledge-that-bearing-and-raising-children-is-not-some/) [Susan Maushart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-maushart/) > [When we pray, we must begin by conceiving God in full and vigorous images, but we must go on to acknowledge the inadequacy of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-farrer/when-we-pray-we-must-begin-by-conceiving-god-in-full-and-vigorous/) [Austin Farrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-farrer/) > [Acknowledging foolishness is a very powerful and important experience. We could almost say that being willing to be a fool is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/acknowledging-foolishness-is-a-very-powerful-and-important-experience/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I would like, then, to end by putting in a good word for the non-industrious poor. At least they aren’t hurting anyone. Insofar as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-graeber/i-would-like-then-to-end-by-putting-in-a-good-word-for-the-non/) [David Graeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-graeber/) > [No one seriously doubts Socrates' maxim: The unexamined life isn't worth living. Self-assessment and attempts at self-improvement are essential aspects of "the good life."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-burton/no-one-seriously-doubts-socrates-maxim-the-unexamined-life-isn-t/) [Robert A. Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-burton/) > [As objects of contemplation, images of the atrocious can answer to several different needs. To steel oneself against weakness. To make oneself more numb.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/as-objects-of-contemplation-images-of-the-atrocious-can-answer-to/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [It is in the measure that special methods acknowledge their common core in transcendental method, that norms common to all the sciences will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-lonergan/it-is-in-the-measure-that-special-methods-acknowledge-their-common/) [Bernard Lonergan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-lonergan/) > [I can hear of the brilliant accomplishments of any of my sex with pleasure and rejoice in that liberality of sentiment which acknowledges them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-adams/i-can-hear-of-the-brilliant-accomplishments-of-any-of-my-sex-with/) [Abigail Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-adams/) [Browse all 1,475 Acknowledge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledge/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man acknowledge it better calculated to promote the general happiness than any other form?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Adams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-whose-principle-and-foundation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acknowledge" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-whose-principle-and-foundation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfc/john-adams-529_acknowledge_if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-wh_2131958.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If there is a form of government, then, whose principle and foundation is virtue, will not every sober man…” — John Adams", "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": "John Adams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If there is a form of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-whose-principle-and-foundation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/if-there-is-a-form-of-government-then-whose-principle-and-foundation/#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 } } ] } ```