Please remember that you are choosing to read my opinions.

Below you will find a mishmash of a certain idea inherent in several state constitutions. The idea is that of the importance of adherence to "fundamental principles" and "social virtues" in the administration of good government, and the role of ALL people in this.


That no free government, nor the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by constant adherence to those (fundamental principles) of piety, justice, moderation, temperance, industry, and frugality, and all the social virtues; by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles; and by the recognition by all citizens that they have duties as well as rights, and that such rights cannot be enjoyed save in a society where law is respected and due process is observed.

The people ought, therefore, to have a particular regard to all those principles in the choice of their officers and representatives, and they have a right to require of their lawgivers and magistrates, an exact and constant observance of them, in the formation and execution of the laws necessary for the good administration of free government.

That free government rests, as does all progress, upon the broadest possible diffusion of knowledge, and that the Commonwealth should avail itself of those talents which nature has sown so liberally among its people by assuring the opportunity for their fullest development by an effective system of education throughout the Commonwealth.


I decided I'd expand upon what these things mean because these words have multiple meanings, and because some of the concepts are no longer common. I included quotes and definitions from 'round the 'net, from various sources....

*piety- This is the only concept that, unsurprisingly, doesn't appear in all versions.

In spiritual terminology, piety is a virtue. While different people may understand its meaning differently, it is generally used to refer either to religious devotion or to spirituality, or often, to a combination of both.

*justice- 1) Moral rightness; equity. (2) Honor and fairness. (3) Good reason. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

*moderation- quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

*temperance- the trait of avoiding excesses. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

"If men of wisdom and knowledge, of moderation and temperance, of patience, fortitude and perseverance, of sobriety and true republican simplicity of manners, of zeal for the honour of the Supreme Being and the welfare of the commonwealth; if men possessed of these other excellent qualities are chosen to fill the seats of government, we may expect that our affairs will rest on a solid and permanent foundation." -- Samuel Adams, 1780 - letter to Elbridge Gerry

*industry- diligence: persevering determination to perform a task. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

*frugality- prudence in avoiding waste. Make no expence but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

"[T]he importance of piety and religion; of industry and frugality; of prudence, economy, regularity and an even government; all ... are essential to the well-being of a family."  -- Samuel Adams, 1780 - letter to Thomas Wells.