"When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary"

This quote by Thomas Paine is a reminder that we ought to not assume that the future generations will be virtuous just because their ancestors were. It is necessary to plan for the future with the understanding that virtue is not something that is passed down through generations. We must take duty for mentor and instilling worths in the next generation. We should also create a society that encourages and rewards virtuous habits. This quote functions as a reminder that we should be proactive in our efforts to make sure that future generations are virtuous. We should not consider granted that virtue will be acquired, however rather actively work to ensure that it is cultivated and kept.