Accountability Quote by Joseph Story
“The promulgation of the great doctrines of religion, the being, and attributes, and providence of one Almighty God: the responsibility to him for all our actions, founded upon moral freedom and accountability; a future state of rewards and punishments; the cultivation of all the personal, social, and benevolent virtues-these these never can be a matter of indifference in any well-ordered community. It is, indeed, difficult to conceive how any civilized society can exist without them.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
The quote argues that belief in a supreme deity, moral accountability, and a system of rewards and punishments are essential for a virtuous, well‑ordered society.
In simple terms: Faith, moral freedom, and consequences are needed for a good community.
Key Takeaway
Uphold moral responsibility and virtue.
Themes
morality
religion
society
law
virtue
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- government policy
- education curricula
- community leadership
- legal frameworks
Key Concepts
theism
ethical accountability
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do non‑theistic societies maintain order?
- Can moral behavior exist without belief in divine judgment?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook secular ethical systems that also sustain societies.
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