He who is void of virtuous attachments in private life is, or very soon will be, void of all regard for his country. There is seldom an instance of a man guilty of betraying his country, who had not before lost the feeling of moral obligations in his private connections.

Summary

This quote suggests that a person who lacks virtuous attachments in their personal life will eventually lose any sense of responsibility towards their country. It argues that those who betray their nation often do so because they have already disregarded their moral obligations to their close relationships. Essentially, the quote highlights the connection between a person's private character and their actions towards their country, implying that a lack of virtue can erode loyalty and integrity at a larger scale.

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