Currently viewing the category: "John Witherspoon"

John Witherspoon, On Leadership, A Sermon Delivered at a Public Thanksgiving after Peace

By On · 15 Comments · In John Witherspoon, Uncategorized

John WitherspoonThose who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation. Is it reasonable to expect wisdom from the ignorant? fidelity from the profligate? assiduity and application to public business from men of a dissipated life? Is it reasonable to commit the management of public revenue to one who hath wasted his own patrimony? Those, therefore, who pay no regard to religion and sobriety in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any State are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dear for their folly.

John Witherspoon, Speech in Congress upon the Confederation

By On · 11 Comments · In John Witherspoon

Shall we establish nothing good because we know it cannot be eternal? Shall we live without government because every constitution has its old age and its period? Because we know that we shall die, shall we take no pains to preserve or lengthen our life? Far from it, Sir: it only requires the more watchful attention to settle government upon the best principles and in the wisest manner that it may last as long as the nature of things will admit.

John Witherspoon, Sermon Delivered at Public Thanksgiving After Peace

By On · 55 Comments · In John Witherspoon

To promote true religion is the best and most effectual way of making a virtuous and regular people - Love to God and love to man is the subtance of religion; when these prevail, civil laws will have little to do - The magistrate (or ruling part of any society) ought to encourage pietyand make it an object of public esteem - Those who are vested with civil authority ought to promote religion and good morals among all their government.