We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection
Samuel AdamsRead
Could I be assured that America would remain virtuous, I would venture to defy the utmost Efforts of Enemies to subjugate her.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Virtue is essential for protecting a nation from its enemies.
In this quote, Samuel Adams expresses the idea that the moral character and virtues of a country are fundamental to its strength and resilience against threats. He suggests that if he could be certain that America would uphold its virtues, then no external adversary could conquer it, emphasizing the importance of integrity and ethical governance in safeguarding freedom and sovereignty.
Themes
VirtueNationStrengthMoralCharacterFreedomResilience
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about national ethics, one might quote this to highlight the importance of moral integrity for a strong society.
More from Samuel Adams
All quotes βNothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than that all persons employed in places of power and trust must be men of unexceptionable characters.
Samuel AdamsRead
If taxes are laid upon us in any shape without our having a legal representation where they are laid, are we not reduced from the character of free subjects to the miserable state of tributary slaves? We claim British rights not by charter only! We are born to them.
Samuel AdamsRead
Let no man thirst for good beer.
Samuel AdamsRead
He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man.
Samuel AdamsRead
We boast of our freedom, and we have your example for it. We talk the language we have always heard you speak.
Samuel AdamsRead
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