Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Let Us Tenderly and Kindly Cherish, Therefore, the Means of Knowledge. Let Us Dare To Read, Think, Speak, and Write.

Posted on May 10, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”– John Adams

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Cherish, Dare, First Principles, John Adams, Means of Knowledge, Read, Speak, Tenderly, Think, Us, Write | Leave a comment

First Principles: If the Freedom of Speech Is Taken Away Then Dumb and Silent We May Be Led, Like Sheep To the Slaughter

Posted on May 9, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” – George Washington

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Dumb and Silent, First Principles, Freedom of Speech, George Washington, Led, Sheep, Slaughter, Taken Away | 1 Comment

First Principles: It Is Error Alone Which Needs the Support of Government. Truth Can Stand By Itself.

Posted on May 8, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors?” – Thomas Jefferson (1781)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alone, Coercion, Error, First Principles, Inquisitors, Opinion, Stand By Itself, Support of Government, Thomas Jefferson, Truth | Leave a comment

First Principles: I Think All the World Would Gain By Setting Commerce At Perfect Liberty

Posted on May 7, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty.” – Thomas Jefferson (1785)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Commerce, First Principles, Gain, Liberty, Perfect, Setting, Think, Thomas Jefferson, World | Leave a comment

First Principles: Guard With Jealous Attention the Public Liberty. Suspect Everyone Who Approaches That Jewel.

Posted on May 6, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.” – Patrick Henry (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Downright Force, Everyone, First Principles, Give Up That Force, Guard, Inevitably Ruined, Jealous Attention, Jewel, Patrick Henry, Preserve It, Public Liberty, Suspect | Leave a comment

First Principles: Were It Left To Me To Decide If We Should Have A Government Without Newspapers, Or Newspapers Without A Government, I Should Not Hesitate A Moment To Prefer the Latter

Posted on May 5, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” – Thomas Jefferson

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Decide, First Principles, Government, Hesitate, Latter, Left To Me, Moment, Newpapers, Prefer, Thomas Jefferson, With, Without | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Only Foundation For A Useful Education In A Republic Is To Be Laid On the Foundation of Religion…Without This There Can Be No Virtue, and Without Virtue There Is No Liberty

Posted on May 4, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“I proceed … to inquire what mode of education we shall adopt so as to secure to the state all of the advantages that are to be derived from the proper instruction of the youth; and here I beg leave to … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Dr. Benjamin Rush, First Principles, Foundation of Religion, Inquire, Liberty, Mode of Education, New Testament, Object and Life, Only Foundation, Proper Instruction, Religion, Republic, Republican Governments, Secure the State, Useful Education, Virtue, Youth | Leave a comment

First Principles: America’s Glory Is Not Dominion, But Liberty. Her March Is the March of the Mind.

Posted on May 3, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“[America’s] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her declaration: this has been, … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged America, Declaration, First Principles, Freedom, Glory, Her Practice, Independence, John Quincy Adams, Liberrty, March of the Mind, Motto, Necessary Intercourse, Not Dominion, Peace, Permit, Rest of Mankind, Spear and A Shield | Leave a comment

First Principles: There Will Never Be A Really Free and Enlightened State until the State Comes To Recognize the Individual As A Higher and Independent Power

Posted on May 2, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” – Henry … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Accordingly, Derived, First Principles, Free and Enlightened, Henry David Thoreau, Higher and Independent Power, Individual, Its Own Power and Authority, State, Treat | Leave a comment

First Principles: What Is Government Itself but the Greatest of All Reflections on Human Nature?

Posted on May 1, 2021 by alohapromisesforever

“But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.“– James … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Angels, Controls, External, First Principles, Govern Men, Government, Human Nature, Internal, James Madison, Me, Necessary, No Government, Reflection | Leave a comment