To understand the founding fathers you have to understand virtue.

Today we view virtue as a type of behavior showing high moral standards

Our founding fathers would not agree with this modern definition

For them virtue was the key to life

Virtue meant putting the common good before ones own interests

Today virtue is often associated with femininity

But in the 18th century it was strictly masculine

If you study the correspondence between the founding fathers

You’ll see the word virtue everywhere

You’ll see it more than words such as Liberty and freedom.

Ben Franklin said: Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.

George Washington said: Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government, and Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people.

James Madison said: To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary] idea

I think you get the point

When we talk about our founding fathers it’s important to understand not only what they did

But why they did it

Understand their meaning of virtue

Apply it to yourself

Put yourself in their shoes