Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Religion and Good Morals Are the Only Solid Foundation of Public Liberty and Happiness

“Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.” – Samuel Adams (1778)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: In the Supposed State of Nature, All Men Are Equally Bound By the Laws of Nature, Or To Speak More Properly, the Laws of the Creator

“In the supposed state of nature, all men are equally bound by the laws of nature, or to speak more properly, the laws of the Creator.” – Samuel Adams, in a Letter to the Massachusetts State Legislature, January 17, 1794

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Until We Can Reestablish A Condition Under Which the Earnings of the People Can Be Kept By the People, We are Bound To Suffer…Curtailment of Our Liberty

“I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government and more for themselves. I want them to have the rewards of their own industry. This is the chief meaning of freedom. Until we can … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: That These United Colonies Are, and of Right Ought To Be, Free and Independent States

“That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Knowledge Is, In Every Country, The Surest Basis of Public Happiness

“Knowledge is, in every country, the surest basis of public happiness.” – George Washington, First Annual Message, 1790

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Children Should Be Educated and Instructed In the Principles of Freedom

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” – John Adams, Defense of Constitutions, 1787

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: No Experiment Can Be More Interesting Than…That Man May Be Governed By Reason and Truth

“No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Justice Is the End of Government. It Is the End of Civil Society. It Ever Has Been and Ever Will Be Pursued Until It Be Obtained

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.” – James Madison, Federalist No. 51, … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: If Virtue and Knowledge Are Diffused Among the People, They Will Never Be Enslaved

“If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.” – Samuel Adams (1779)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Above All, Love Each Other Deeply, Because Love Covers Over A Multitude of Sins

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment