"...remember that a constitution which gives to the people so much freedom, and entrusts them with so much power, rests for its permanency, on their knowledge and virtue.  An ignorant people are easily betrayed, and a wicked people can never be ruled by the mild influence of their own laws.  If you would be free -- if you would see your country grow in all that constitutes true greatness --cultivate knowledge -- flee from vice.  The virtuous citizen is the true noble.  He who enlightens his understanding -- controls his passions -- feels for his country's honor -- rejoices in her prosperity -- devotes to her advancement the fruits of his mind, and consecrates to her cause, his time, his property, and his noblest powers, such a man is one of God's nobility; he needs neither riband, nor star; his country knows and remembers his name; nor could any title add to its honor, or to his reward.  We have seen such men among us; we hope to see many more.  And though the glory of giving to their country such a Constitution as this, is what none but they have been so blessed as to enjoy, yet you succeed to a task, but one degree removed from it, that of preserving what they have committed to your virtue, unsullied and unimpaired."

Be this.

Taken from the Conclusion of the Elementary Catechism on the Constitution of the United States for the use of schools by Arthur J. Stansbury. (only $2 on Kindle). :)

I'm putting this little gem of a book on the shelf and am so glad the boys and I worked our way through it.  We have learned so much!  May we be "one of God's nobility."