--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To exterminate our popular vices is a…" description: "\"To exterminate our popular vices is a work of far more importance to the character and happiness of our citizens than any other improvements in our sys..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/noah-webster-8440_character_to-exterminate-our-popular-vices-is-a-wo_1092624.jpg" --- # To exterminate our popular vices is a work of far more… ![“To exterminate our popular vices is a work of far more importance to the character and happiness of our citizens than any other improvements in our system of education.” quote by Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/noah-webster-8440_character_to-exterminate-our-popular-vices-is-a-wo_1092624.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/noah-webster-8440_character_to-exterminate-our-popular-vices-is-a-wo_1092624.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/noah-webster-8440_character_to-exterminate-our-popular-vices-is-a-wo_1092624.jpg) > “To exterminate our popular vices is a work of far more importance to the character and happiness of our citizens than any other improvements in our system of education.” [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Eliminating harmful habits improves citizens’ character and happiness more than educational reforms. **In simple terms:** Removing vices boosts societal well‑being. Key Takeaway Prioritize moral reform over schooling. Themes morality public health education Mood serious optimistic Type philosophical policy When to use this quote - public health campaigns - community programs - school curricula Key Concepts ethics social policy Questions to Reflect On - Which vices most affect community health? - How can education support moral improvement? A Different Perspective Changing habits is slower than changing curricula. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [“One of man's greatest flaws is assigning far too much importance to what he does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-campbell/one-of-man-s-greatest-flaws-is-assigning-far-too-much-importance-to/) [Tim Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-campbell/) > [“Countries measured their success by the size of their territory, the increase in their population and the growth of their GDP – not by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/countries-measured-their-success-by-the-size-of-their-territory-the/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“It was never built for the comfort and happiness of its citizens, but to astonish the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-ertz/it-was-never-built-for-the-comfort-and-happiness-of-its-citizens-but/) [Susan Ertz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-ertz/) > [I judge the importance of my character by seeing how much the movie will be affected if you take my role out. 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Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Noah Webster > [In the formation of such a government, it is not only the right, but the indispensable duty of every citizen to examine the principles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/in-the-formation-of-such-a-government-it-is-not-only-the-right-but/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [The freedom of the press is a valuable privilege; but the abuse of it, in this country, is a frightful evil. The licentiousness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/the-freedom-of-the-press-is-a-valuable-privilege-but-the-abuse-of-it/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [EDUCATION, n. The bringing up, as of a child; instruction; formation of manners. 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