We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection
Samuel AdamsRead
The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. While on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True enjoyment of freedom and life comes from virtue, not just the appearance of freedom.
Samuel Adams emphasizes that the essence of enjoying life's blessings and true freedom comes from being virtuous. If we stray into vice and moral corruption, the freedom afforded by our societal structures becomes meaningless, leading us instead into a state of slavery to our baser instincts and behaviors.
Themes
VirtueFreedomEnjoymentSocietyMoralitySlavery
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civic responsibility, one could cite this quote to highlight the importance of virtue in society.
More from Samuel Adams
All quotes →Nothing 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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