Character Quote by William H. Seward
“I have learned, by some experience, that virtue and patriotism, vice and selfishness, are found in all parties, and that they differ less in their motives than in the policies they pursue.”
About This Quote
Virtue and selfishness appear across political lines; differences lie more in policy choices than in motives.
In simple terms: All parties share virtues and vices.
Focus on policies, not labels.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- voting
- public debate
- policy analysis
- civic education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do motives shape policy?
- Can we trust any party’s virtue?
Policies can be ambiguous.