Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: The Constitution of the United States Is To Receive A Reasonable Interpretation of Its Language, and Its Powers

Posted on April 8, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“The constitution of the United States is to receive a reasonable interpretation of its language, and its powers, keeping in view the objects and purposes, for which those powers were conferred. By a reasonable interpretation, we mean, that in case … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Adopt, Apparent Objects, Commentaries on the Constitution, Conferred, Consonant, Constitution, Enlarged, First Principles, Intent, Joseph Story, Language, Objects, Powers, Purposes, Reasonable Interpretation, Senses, Strict, United States, Word | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Spirit of Resistance To Government Is So Valuable On Certain Occasions, That I Wish It To Be Always Kept Alive

Posted on April 7, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alive, Atmosphere, Exercise, First Principles, Government, Now and Then, Occasions, Rebellion, Spirit of Resistance, Storm, Thomas Jefferson, Valuable, Wrong | Leave a comment

First Principles: Men Must Be Ready…To Sacrifice Their Private Pleasures…When They Stand In Competition With the Rights of Society

Posted on April 6, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“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 (1776)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Competition, Dearest Connections, First Principles, Interests, John Adams, Mankind, Passions, Pride, Private Friendships, Private Pleasures, Ready, Rights of Society, Sacrifice | Leave a comment

First Principles: Knowledge Will Forever Govern Ignorance and A People Who Mean To Be Their Own Governors Must Arm Themselves With the Power Which Knowledge Gives

Posted on April 5, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Knowledge Will Forever Govern Ignorance and A People Who Mean To Be Their Own Governors Must Arm Themselves With the Power Which Knowledge Gives. ” – James Madison

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Forever Govern, Give, Ignorance, James Madison, Knowledge, Own Governors, People, Power | Leave a comment

First Principles: We Have But A Slender Hold of Our Virtues; They Ought, Therefore, To Be Cherished With Care, and Practiced With Diligence

Posted on April 4, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“We have but a slender hold of our virtues; they ought, therefore, to be cherished with care, and practised with diligence.” – Fisher Ames

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Burn, Care, Cherish, Diligence, Dishonor, First Principles, Fisher Ames, Half Corrupted, Heart, Indignation, Parley, Practiced, Seduce, Slave and Victim, Slender Hold, Slightest Attempt, Vice, Virtues | Leave a comment

First Principles: Society In Every State Is A Blessing, But Government Even In Its Best State Is But A Necessary Evil

Posted on April 3, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer, or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Best State, Blessing, Every State, First Principles, Government, Intolerable, Necessary Evil, Society, Thomas Paine, Worst State | Leave a comment

First Principles: Our Peculiar Security Is In the Possession of A Written Constitution. Let Us Not Make It A Blank Paper By Construction

Posted on April 2, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.” – Thomas Jefferson (1803)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Blank Paper, Construction, First Principles, Mak, Peculiar, Possession, Security, Thomas Jefferson, Written Constitution | Leave a comment

First Principles: Where There Is No Law, There Is No Liberty

Posted on April 1, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“[W]here there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” – Benjamin Rush, letter to David Ramsay, … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Benjamin Rush, Certain, Community, Deserve, First Principles, Law, Members, Name, No Law, No Liberty, Operation, Universal | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Fondness For Power Is Implanted, In Most Men, and It Is Natural To Abuse It, When Acquired

Posted on March 31, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.” – Alexander Hamilton (1775)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Abuse, Acquire, Alexander Hamilton, First Principles, Fondness, Implant, Most Men, Natural, Power | Leave a comment

First Principles: Liberty Can Have Nothing To Fear From the Judiciary Alone, But Would Have Everything To Fear From Its Union With Either of the Other Departments

Posted on March 30, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Liberty can have nothing to fear from the judiciary alone, but would have everything to fear from its union with either of the other departments.” – Alexander Hamilton (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alexander Hamilton, Either, Everything To Fear, First Principles, Judiciary Alone, Liberty, Nothing To Fear, Other Departments, Union | Leave a comment