Let the public mind become corrupt, and all efforts to secure property, liberty, or life by the force of laws written on paper will be as vain as putting up a sign in an apple orchard to exclude canker worms.

Summary

This quote highlights the importance of public perception and the integrity of the society. It suggests that if the collective mindset becomes morally corrupt, any attempt to safeguard rights and freedoms through legislative measures will prove ineffective. The analogy of putting up signs in an apple orchard to keep out canker worms implies that superficial solutions cannot address deeper societal problems. It emphasizes the need for a virtuous and principled populace to ensure the successful implementation and preservation of democratic values and laws.

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