--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Republics are created by the virtue…" description: "\"Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/joseph-story-11919_betray_republics-are-created-by-the-virtue-publ_1264974.png" --- # Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and… ![“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” quote by Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/joseph-story-11919_betray_republics-are-created-by-the-virtue-publ_1264974.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/joseph-story-11919_betray_republics-are-created-by-the-virtue-publ_1264974.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/595/joseph-story-11919_betray_republics-are-created-by-the-virtue-publ_1264974.png) > “Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall, when the wise are banished from the public councils, because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded, because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A republic thrives on virtuous citizens and wise leaders; corruption erodes it. **In simple terms:** Virtue and wisdom sustain republics. Key Takeaway Promote civic virtue and wise governance. Themes politics virtue corruption citizenry Mood serious reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - elections - policy making - community meetings - education programs Key Concepts civic responsibility leadership public ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens guard against corruption? - What virtues should leaders embody? A Different Perspective Idealism may ignore power dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honest/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-believe-there-is-one-supreme-most-perfect-being-i-believe-he-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The fantastical idea of virtue and the public good being a sufficient security to the state against the commission of crimes, which you say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-fantastical-idea-of-virtue-and-the-public-good-being-a-sufficient/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Many have imagined republics and principalities which have never been seen or known to exist in reality, for how we live is so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-have-imagined-republics-and-principalities-which-have-never-been/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/i-believe-there-are-more-instances-of-the-abridgment-of-the-freedom/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [ \[A\]ll popular and well-mixed governments \[republics\] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/a-ll-popular-and-well-mixed-governments-republics-are-ever/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [Republics have a longer life and enjoy better fortune than principalities, because they can profit by their greater internal diversity. They are the better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/republics-have-a-longer-life-and-enjoy-better-fortune-than/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [Royalty is a government in which the attention of the nation is concentrated on one person doing interesting actions. A Republic is a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bagehot/royalty-is-a-government-in-which-the-attention-of-the-nation-is/) [Walter Bagehot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bagehot/) > [Kings play at war unfairly with republics; they can only lose some earth, and some creatures they value as little, while republics lose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/kings-play-at-war-unfairly-with-republics-they-can-only-lose-some/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [Like all of Latin America, Mexico after independence in 1821 turned its back on a triple heritage: on the Spanish heritage, because we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/like-all-of-latin-america-mexico-after-independence-in-1821-turned/) [Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/) > [It is impossible to read the history of the petty republics of Greece and Italy without feeling sensations of horror and disgust at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-impossible-to-read-the-history-of-the-petty-republics-of-greece/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The fake republics are goners; the monarchies have a fighting chance. That's my conclusion after a short visit to the Middle East and discussions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-abrams/the-fake-republics-are-goners-the-monarchies-have-a-fighting-chance/) [Elliott Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-abrams/) > [Some countries have a parliamentary republic, some are presidential republics and some are still monarchies, but no one sees them as not being democratic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/some-countries-have-a-parliamentary-republic-some-are-presidential/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [Republics are brought to their ends by luxury; monarchies by poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/republics-are-brought-to-their-ends-by-luxury-monarchies-by-poverty/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) > [“The freest people, like the freest man, is always in danger of re-lapsing into servitude. Wars are almost always fatal to Republics. They create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/the-freest-people-like-the-freest-man-is-always-in-danger-of-re/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [There are still to be found visionary or designing men, who stand ready to advocate the paradox of perpetual peace between the states, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-are-still-to-be-found-visionary-or-designing-men-who-stand/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) ## More by Joseph Story > [“One of the surest means of preserving peace is always to be prepared for war.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/one-of-the-surest-means-of-preserving-peace-is-always-to-be-prepared/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [It was under a solemn consciousness of the dangers from ecclesiastical ambition, the bigotry of spiritual pride, and the intolerance of sects... that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-was-under-a-solemn-consciousness-of-the-dangers-from/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [This provision (the 4th Amendment) speaks for itself. Its plain object is to secure the perfect enjoyment of that great right of the common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/this-provision-the-4th-amendment-speaks-for-itself-its-plain-object/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [ At the time of the adoption of the constitution, and of the amendment to it, now under consideration \[i.e., the First Amendment\], the general,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/at-the-time-of-the-adoption-of-the-constitution-and-of-the-amendment/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Every successive generation becomes a living memorial of our public schools, and a living example of their excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/every-successive-generation-becomes-a-living-memorial-of-our-public/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [No man can well doubt the propriety of placing a president of the United States under the most solemn obligations to preserve, protect, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/no-man-can-well-doubt-the-propriety-of-placing-a-president-of-the/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Be brief, be pointed, let your matter standLucid in order, solid and at hand;Spend not your words on trifles but condense;Strike with the mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/be-brief-be-pointed-let-your-matter-standlucid-in-order-solid-and-at/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The real object of the First Amendment was not to countenance, much less advance Mohammedanism, or Judaism or infidelity, by prostrating Christianity; but ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-real-object-of-the-first-amendment-was-not-to-countenance-much/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [There is not a truth to be gathered from history more certain, or more momentous, than this: that civil liberty cannot long be separated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/there-is-not-a-truth-to-be-gathered-from-history-more-certain-or-more/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [It should therefore be difficult in a republic to declare war; but not to make peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-should-therefore-be-difficult-in-a-republic-to-declare-war-but-not/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The state governments have a full superintendence and control over the immense mass of local interests of their respective states, which connect themselves with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-state-governments-have-a-full-superintendence-and-control-over/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [ \[I\]t is impossible for those, who believe in the truth of Christianity, as a divine revelation, to doubt, that it is the especial duty… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/i-t-is-impossible-for-those-who-believe-in-the-truth-of-christianity/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-powers-not-delegated-to-the-united-states-by-the-constitution-nor/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/let-the-american-youth-never-forget-that-they-possess-a-noble/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Temporary delusions, prejudices, excitements, and objects have irresistible influence in mere questions of policy. And the policy of one age may ill suit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/temporary-delusions-prejudices-excitements-and-objects-have/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) [Explore all 57 Joseph Story quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) ## More Betray quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“79. A soul which knows that it is loved, but does not itself love, betrays its sediment: its dregs come up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/79-a-soul-which-knows-that-it-is-loved-but-does-not-itself-love/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Joy doesn't betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/joy-doesn-t-betray-but-sustains-activism-and-when-you-face-a-politics/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [Even if we have to go without bread, we Albanians do not violate principles. We do not betray Marxism - Leninism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enver-hoxha/even-if-we-have-to-go-without-bread-we-albanians-do-not-violate/) [Enver Hoxha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enver-hoxha/) > [Stop holding onto people that treat you like crap. 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I still don't understand what it's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/one-day-you-and-i-will-have-to-have-a-little-talk-about-this-business/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [“Sarai, you never know who might betray you until it’s too late.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/sarai-you-never-know-who-might-betray-you-until-it-s-too-late/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [The zombie is in a lot of ways the perfect horror movie bad guy. It plays on so many fears all at once. 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To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-ea/it-is-up-to-us-to-take-care-of-this-planet-it-is-our-only-home-to/) [Prince Ea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prince-ea/) > [In his bleak mercy, Death forever strips The soul of light and memory, rendering blind Our vision, lest surmounted deeps appal, As when on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-ashton-smith/in-his-bleak-mercy-death-forever-strips-the-soul-of-light-and-memory/) [Clark Ashton Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-ashton-smith/) Browse all 966 Betray quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. 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