"A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader."
How prophetic Samuel Adams was.
Case in point of losing virtue. My older brother has stage 4 pancreatic cancer he is going to die and soon. He listed his house and moved in with a friend to be closer to the hospital. Agent got an offer right away and it is closing today, good news. The agent calls my brother and says I am a cub scout leader and could I have a little of your firewood for a camping trip this weekend, "sure" my brother says.
After signing the papers my brother drives by the empty house to say his farewell and notices all the firewood gone, 2.5 cords. He calls the agent and says,"hey you took all the firewood that's $400 worth of wood, you owe me, I did not give you permission to take it all!!" The cub scout leader agreed to pay with no apology.