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"Religion and morality alone, which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our people in a greater measure than they have it now, they may change their rulers and the forms of government but they will not obtain a lasting liberty. They will only exchange tyrants and tyrannies."

"A constitution founded on these principles [Republican] introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals to be general. That elevation of sentiment inspired by such a government, makes the common people brave and enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it makes them sober, industrious, and frugal."
— John Adams (1797-1801) Second President of the United States and Patriot

"The god of the governed is the end, and rewards and punishments are the means of all government. The government of the supreme and all-perfect mind, over all his intellectual creation, is by proportioning rewards to piety and virtue, and punishments to disobedience and vice. Virtue, by the constitution of nature carries in general its own reward, and vice its own punishment, even in this world. But as many exceptions to this rule, take place upon earth, the joys of heaven are prepared, and the horrors of hell in a future sate to render the moral government of the universe, perfect and complete. Human government is more or less perfect, as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from an Imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government."
— John Adams (1797-1801) Second President of the United States and Patriot