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December 12, 2016

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.

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In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.
The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.- - Washington's Farewell Address 1796
[HT- Sensing]

Posted by gerardvanderleun at December 12, 2016 10:20 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

"national morality"


There is no such thing, obviously.
Just as there is no "national eye color".

Posted by: ghostsniper at December 13, 2016 4:06 AM

Eye color is outside one`s control. National morality is within control of the active citizenry. The child becomes the adult.

Learn and teach your children well.


Posted by: Howard Nelson at December 13, 2016 4:52 AM

One would think it would be wise to slow down, take a deep breath before taking on the words of George Washington. But there ya' go...

Though I can understand, what did Washington know about this country, what did he ever do for it?

*Sigh*

Posted by: tim at December 13, 2016 9:50 AM

I question that 51% of college students can comprehend that paragraph, and if they did, Washington would soon be gone from the dollar bill.

Posted by: james wilson at December 13, 2016 10:20 AM

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