If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If vain and ambitious people take high government positions, experienced patriots will be needed to save the country from ruin. This warns against placing self-interested leaders in power.
- In plain terms
- Vain leaders ruin countries; experienced patriots are needed to stop them.
- What can you take from it?
- Experienced patriots are needed to curb ambitious, vain leaders.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who counts as an experienced patriot?
- How do we prevent vain men from gaining power?
Another view
It assumes experienced patriots will always be available and effective.
More from Samuel Adams
If Virtue & Knowledge are diffus'd among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security.
Permalink to quote #23 Let Divines, and Philosophers, Statesmen and Patriots unite their endeavours to renovate the Age, by impressing the Minds of Men with the importance of educati…
Permalink to quote #25 A general Dissolution of Principles & Manners will more surely overthrow the Liberties of America than the whole Force of the Common Enemy. While the People ar…
Permalink to quote #22
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