Bible Quote by Richard Llewellyn
““You must realize...that the men of the Valley have built their houses and brought up their families without help from others, without a word from the Government. Their lives have been ordered from birth by the Bible. From it they took their instructions. They had no other guidance, and no other law. If it has produced hypocrites and pharisees, the fault is in the human race. We are not all angels. Our fathers upheld good conduct and rightful dealing by strictness, but it is in Man Adam to be slippery, and many are as slimy as the adder. The wonder is to me that the men of the Valley are as they are, and not barbarians at all.I was sorry for Meillyn Lewis, too. But that session of the deacons was helpful as a preventative. It was cruel, but it is more cruel to allow misconduct to flourish without check.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, 1966
Self‑governance and moral guidance are limited without external oversight, leading to hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Lack of checks breeds hypocrisy.
Key Takeaway
Implement accountability structures.
Themes
morality
governance
human nature
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- community leadership
- legal systems
- religious institutions
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
social order
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent abuse of power?
- How do traditions both help and hinder societies?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on tradition can ignore needed reforms.
