We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection
Samuel AdamsRead
The love of power, like the love of money, increases with the possession of it; and we know in what ruin these baneful passions have involved human societies in all ages when they have been let loose and suffered to rage uncontrolled - There is no restraint like the pervading eye of the virtuous citizens.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of power and money intensifies the more one has, leading to societal ruin unless kept in check by virtuous citizens.
Samuel Adams warns that the insatiable desires for power and wealth tend to grow stronger as individuals acquire more of them. This unchecked ambition has historically led to detrimental consequences for societies, emphasizing the need for moral oversight by virtuous individuals to prevent chaos and destruction.
Themes
PowerMoneySocietyVirtueControl
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on ethics, you might use this quote to discuss the responsibilities of leaders.
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.
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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.
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Let no man thirst for good beer.
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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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