Favorite Memorable Quotes
This week’s favorite quote:
Mr. Rufus King in the debate on the ratification of the Constitution in Massachusetts, Thursday, Jan 17, 1788. Among other things the chronicler notes that:
“he never knew that property was an index to abilities. We often see men, who, though destitute of property, are superior in knowledge and rectitude.”
Jonathan Elliot, The Debates in the Several State Conventions of the Adoption of the Federal Constitution.vol. 3, p. 29. Online Library of Liberty.
Comment: It is clear that some of the founders’ had reservations about wealth and property determining the entrance into democracy. There is a recognition here that intelligence and virtue are distinctive from having property.
