Suppose a Nation, by John Adams
Suppos a nation in some distant Region, should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited. Every member would be obliged in Concience to temperance and frugality and industry, to justice and kindness and Charity towards his fellow men, and to Piety and Love, and reverence towards almighty God. In this Commonwealth, no man would impair his health by Gluttony, drunkenness, or Lust—no man would sacrifice his most precious time to cards, or any other trifling and mean amusement—no man would steal or lie or any way defraud his neighbour, but would live in peace and good will with all men—no man would blaspheme his maker or prophane his Worship, but a rational and manly, a sincere and unaffected Piety and devotion, would reign in all hearts. What a Eutopa, what a Paradise would this region be.
John Adams, diary, February 22, 1756
(Playground prompt: A water color picture of John Adams typing a blog post on a computer, G Harvey style, Realism Engine.)
Comments
It has been said, I believe, that John Adams was a deist and then became a unitarian (a heretical belief). If so, all I can say is that, in the above quote, he shows himself a better Christian than the majority of his detractors.
Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
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Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von.
Links
Quotes
A bunch of fun and significant quotes: