John Adams on civic responsibility

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature...  It becomes necessary to every [citizen] then, to be in some degree a statesman: and to examine and judge for himself... the... political principles and measures.  Let us examine them with a sober... Christian spirit.

~ John Adams

John Adams & His House
1940

Mises on responsibility and political involvement

Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders; no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way out for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interests, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle. None can stand aside with unconcern; the interests of everyone hang on the result. Whether he chooses or not, every man is drawn into the great historical struggle, the decisive battle into which our epoch has plunged us.

~ Ludwig von Mises, Socialism, p. 515