It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
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The wisdom of George Washington was really incalculable.
but that its influence may be co-extensive
with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn.
Washington’s vision was one of working out global problems by personal excellence. Excellence that ennobled an immediate sphere of influence, elevated America, shining like a beacon of light and hope to the rest of the world. that is the proper flow of virtues, from within, outward.
What has and is radically changing us as a nation is the flaccid socialist views being internalized and corrupting the spring from which the Founders took inspiration. They clearly understood what made greatness is the virtues of an individual pulling together as a consentual whole with like-minded individuals.
One philosophy spotlights singular greatness and bids others to aspire to it and so raising everyone out of the dregs and into their higher self and the formation of a government that nurtures this.
The other is nihilistic and bids the abasement of all through coerced equality, and confiscating the prosperity of others for distribution among the indolent; and so causing social entropy, the formula for complete destruction by extinction.
Your comment is inciteful, prescient, ativistic, encouraging, and to put it bluntly,
appropriate at this time. The whole reason for the success of this United States
Of America is —— we accept the fact we are allowed because we accept the
precepts of the One we call God. Not being a biblical scholar, I cannot quote the
verses which predicted this time in history; but I am aware of the fact IT IS HERE
NOW.
Verizon may be aware of every letter I type, but God is aware of EVERY THOUGHT I have and this fact I am sure will determine our very future just as He was when George Washington was alive.
Well said, Anatole
A lot of historians think Washington was not a religious person. That is a misconseption, He and most of our Founders were deeply routed in God. They were ispired men by God to write the Constitution and the Freedoms we have. They knew, just as God knows it starts with the individual. You must right yourself before you can right the world.
So many fail to observe the consideration that one’s beliefs and actions have lasting effects for generations. It is this consideration that ought to restrain politicians from enacting legislation that relinquishes liberty for a temporary happiness.
I didn’t think there were so many that were unaware of GW’s spirituality, but they sure chop at the rest of the major founders without real basis. With GW, they just didn’t bother to emphasize his sprituality… it served their purpose better, and wasn’t as difficult as attacking it as with a Jefferson, Franklin or Adams. Seemed like they all tended to make statements likely in ironic tone that could be construed as irreligious… GW seemed to refrain from any such remarks. He lived and practiced what he said “religiously.”
It is also interesting, Dan, that those who wish to attack the religious beliefs of the Founders pick on such a small handful and ignore the vast majority. You listed four men. There are around 200 men who deserve the title Founder for their participation in the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and the first federal Congress, not to mention many others who were not at any of those meetings, yet without whose contribution there might never have been an America.
Yes, Ma’am! I only listed the few because most of the derision is aimed at them due to their “foremost” exposure. I’m not real sure of this, but sees to me,” most” of the “questionable” quotes were taken, not from speeches, but from private correspondences, where one would believe the writer and the recipient might have a bit more of an intimate understanding of the tho’t basis behind the quote.. knowing it would not be mis-interpreted by that person… ie, John to Abigail Adams, or between them and Jefferson, extremely close friends. We loose a lot in the translation because we do not share in the nuances of those relationships…
So while there may be some question and controversy, there is enough basis for a firm belief in their faiths, and a detractor is on shakey ground in any debate. I guess that’s why matters of faith are only ours to observe and evaluate the fruit thereof, and it is for God to judge the soul.
I would agree with that Dan. The quotes in question may be in response to a statement three letters ago. Unless ones reads the body of the correspondence, one does not get the whole picture. There are also websites that wish to further an agenda which will take quotes so out of context as to change their entire meaning. To understand what the Founders believed requires reading a lot of their writings, not just a quote here and there.