Monday, June 16, 2008

Character of Nations



"..... The national character will necessarily depend more upon the moral qualities of the many than the few. And the same qualities which determine the character of individuals also determines the character of nations. Unless they are high minded, truthful, honest, virtuous, and courageous, they will be held in light esteem by other nations, and be without weight in the world. To have character they must needs also be reverential, disciplined, self-controlling, and devoted to duty. The nation that has no higher god than pleasure, or even dollars or calico, must needs be in a poor way. It were better to revert to Homer's gods than be devoted to these, for the heathen deities at least imagined human virtues, and were something to look up to."

Samuel Smiles 1882 - photo by Scott Cromwell, A Splash of Patriotisim.

2 comments:

MaryMGlynn said...

This is a neat picture and well said. This picture reminds me of all the tears shed to create this blessed nation God gave us. What a cool picture!

FCB said...

Yes, I can see what you mean about the picture, I'm sure He sheds many for the sins of America, and mine as well.
Fred