#civicvirtue — Public Fediverse posts

A quotation from Eleanor Roosevelt

To me, the democratic system represents man’s best and brightest hope of self-fulfillment, of a life rich in promise and free from fear; the one hope, perhaps, for the complete development of the whole man. But I know, and learn more clearly every day, that we cannot keep our system strong and free by neglect, by taking it for granted, by giving it our second-best attention. We must be prepared, like the suitor in The Merchant of Venice — and, I might point out, the successful suitor — to give and hazard all we have.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Essay (1961-04), “What Has Happened to the American Dream?” Atlantic Monthly

More about this quote: wist.info/roosevelt-eleanor/28…

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A quotation from Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
 
[Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

A quotation from Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
 
[Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

A quotation from Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
 
[Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

A quotation from Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
 
[Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

A quotation from Montesquieu

When virtue is banished, ambition invades the hearts of those who are disposed to receive it, and avarice possesses the whole community.
 
[Lorsque cette vertu cesse, l’ambition entre dans les cœurs qui peuvent la recevoir, & l’avarice entre dans tous.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Nugent (1750)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82760/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #montesquieu #ambition #avarice #civicvirtue #community #democracy #equality #greed #nation #patriotism #politicalvirtue #republic #selfcenteredness #selfishness #virtue

A quotation from Montesquieu

There need not be much integrity for a monarchical or despotic government to maintain or sustain itself. The force of the laws in the one, and the prince’s ever-raised arm in the other, can rule or contain the whole. But in a popular state there must be an additional spring, which is VIRTUE.
 
[Il ne faut pas beaucoup de probité, pour qu’un gouvernement monarchique, ou un gouvernement despotique, se maintiennent ou se soutiennent. La force des loix dans l’un, le bras du prince toujours levé dans l’autre, reglent ou contiennent tout. Mais, dans un état populaire, il faut un ressort de plus, qui est la VERTU.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Spirit of Laws [The Spirit of the Laws; De l’esprit des lois], Book 3, ch. 3 (3.3) (1748) [tr. Cohler/Miller/Stone (1989)]

More about (and translations of) this quote: wist.info/montesquieu/82282/

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A quotation from John Adams

The Spirit of Commerce, Madam, which even insinuates itself into Families, and influences holy Matrimony, and thereby corrupts the Morals of Families as well as destroys their Happiness, it is much to be feared is incompatible with that purity of Heart, and Greatness of soul which is necessary for an happy Republic.

John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/81328/

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A quotation from John Adams

Public Virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private, and public Virtue is the only Foundation of Republics. There must be a possitive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honour, Power, and Glory, established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty. And this public Passion must be Superiour to all private Passions. Men must be ready, they must pride themselves, and be happy to sacrifice their private Pleasures, Passions, and Interests, nay their private Friendships and dearest Connections, when they Stand in Competition with the Rights of society.

John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/28404/

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A quotation from Aristotle

For of course it is not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen.
 
[οὐ γὰρ ἴσως ταὐτὸν ἀνδρί τ᾽ ἀγαθῷ εἶναι καὶ πολίτῃ παντί.]

Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher
Nicomachean Ethics [Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια], Book 5, ch. 2 (5.2.11) / 1130b.29 (c. 325 BC) [tr. Thomson (1953)]

Sourcing, notes, alternate translations: wist.info/aristotle/74914/

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A quotation from Aristotle

It is manifestly possible to be a good citizen without possessing the goodness that constitutes a good man.
 
[ὅτι μὲν οὖν ἐνδέχεται πολίτην ὄντα σπουδαῖον μὴ κεκτῆσθαι τὴν ἀρετὴν καθ᾽ ἣν σπουδαῖος ἀνήρ, φανερόν.]

Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher
Politics [Πολιτικά], Book 3, ch. 4 / 1276b.34 [tr. Rackham (1932)]

Sourcing, notes, alternate translations: wist.info/aristotle/1341/

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