
A quote from John Adams
"From all that I had read of History and Government, of human Life and manners, I had drawn this Conclusion, that the manners of Women were the most infallible Barometer, to ascertain the degree of Morality and Virtue in a Nation. All that I have since read and all the observations I have made in different Nations, have confirmed me in this opinion. The Manners of Women, are the surest Criterion by which to determine whether a Republican Government is practicable, in a Nation or not. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public Spirit, their Republican Principles and habits, and their Republican Forms of Government, when they lost the Modesty and Domestic Virtues of their Women." (1)
This passage is a genuine quote from John Adams. In a letter to his wife Abigail Adams dated May 12, 1780, John Adams expressed his belief that the manners and virtues of women are crucial indicators of the morality and virtue of a nation. He suggested that the decline of modesty and domestic virtues among women led to the loss of public spirit and republican principles in several historical civilizations.
This statement reflects Adams's views on the importance of women's roles in maintaining the moral fabric of society and, by extension, the stability of republican government.
All people must contribute positively to the moral fabric of our nation, but women must especially hold the line here.
Let's all do our part!
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