A Worthy Quote

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

If men through fear, fraud or mistake, should in terms renounce and give up any essential natural right, the eternal law of reason and the great end of society, would absolutely vacate such renunciation; the right to freedom being the gift of God Almighty, it is not in the power of Man to alienate this gift, and voluntarily become a slave. --Samuel Adams

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"It is the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigor. A degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats to the heart of its laws and constitution."

--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia Query 19, 1781

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"Let us consider, brethren, we are struggling for our best birthrights and inheritance, which being infringed, renders all our blessings precarious in their enjoyments, and, consequently triffling in their value. Let us disappoint the Men who are raising themselves on the ruin of this Country. Let us convince every invader of our freedom, that we will be as free as the constitution our fathers recognized, will justify."

--Samuel Adams, A State of the Rights of the Colonists, 1772

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"Liberty is a word which, according as it is used, comprehends the most good and the most evil of any in the world. Justly understood it is sacred next to those which we appropriate in divine adoration; but in the mouths of some it means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a jealousy of the rulers who are our own choice, and keep society in confusion for want of a power sufficiently concentered to promote good."

--Oliver Ellsworth, A Landholder, No. III, 1787

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to The Republican Citizens of Washington County, Maryland, 1809

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenue and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute."

--Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?"

--Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"The true liberty of the press is amply secured by permitting every man to publish his opinion; but it is due to the peace and dignity of society, to inquire into the motives of such publications, and to distinguish between those which are meant for use and reformation, and with an eye solely to the public good, and those which are intended merely to delude and defame. To the latter description, it is impossible that any good government should afford protection and impunity."

--Thomas McKean, Respublica v. Oswald, 1788

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"Our conflict is not likely to cease so soon as every good man would wish. The measure of iniquity is not yet filled; and unless we can return a little more to first principles, and act a little more upon patriotic ground, I do not know when it will -- or -- what may be the issue of the contest. Speculation -- peculation -- engrossing -- forestalling -- with all their concomitants, afford too many melancholy proofs of the decay of public virtue; and too glaring instances of its being the interest and desire of too many, who would wish to be thought friends, to continue the war."

--George Washington, letter to James Warren, 1779

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"In a despotic government, the only principle by which the tyrant who is to move the whole machine means to regulate and manage the people is fear, by the servile dread of his power. But a free government, which of all others is far the most preferable, cannot be supported without virtue."

--Samuel Williams, A Discourse on the Love of our Country, 1774

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Marquis de Lafayette, 1823

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights of society."

--John Adams, letter to Mercy Warren, 1776

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"Liberty is not to be enjoyed, indeed it cannot exist, without the habits of just subordination; it consists, not so much in removing all restraint from the orderly, as in imposing it on the violent."

--Fisher Ames, Essay on Equality, 1801

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"The opinion has been very general, that, in order to obtain the blessings of a good government, a sacrifice must be made of a part of our natural liberty. I am much inclined to believe, that, upon examination, this opinion will prove to be fallacious."

--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1790

[nChrist]

Founder's Quote Daily

"There is a rank due to the United States, among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness. If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known that we are at all times ready for war."

--George Washington, Fifth Annual Message, 1793