31 Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great Nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt, that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages, which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Can it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a Nation with its Virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices ?I didn't go looking for that. We read it in The Children's Book of Virtues for our history lesson this a.m.!
Read the full text here.
I used to have that book and the older kids read and reread it till it got so beat up, it fell apart.
ReplyDeletethanks for reminding me what a great book that BOV is. I'll have to get a new copy!
m~