Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: I Place Economy Among the First and Most Important of Republican Virtues, and Public Debt As the Greatest of the Dangers To Be Feared

Posted on January 30, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“I … place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.” – Thomas Jefferson (1816)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Dangers, Economy, Fear, First, First Principles, Greatest, Most Important, Public Debt, Republican Virtues, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Good Moral Character Is the First Essential In Mankind…You Should Endeavor Not Only To Be Learned But Virtuous

Posted on January 29, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“[A] good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Character, Conduct, Endeavor, First Essential, First Princiiples, George Washington, Good Moral Character, Habits, Highly Important, Indelible, Learned, Life, Virtuous | Leave a comment

First Principles: Where There Is No Law, There Is No Liberty;…Nothing Deserved the Name of Law But That Which Is Certain and Universal In Its Operation Upon All

Posted on January 28, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Where 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 (1788) We see this … Continue reading →

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First Principles: All Men Having Power Ought To Be Distrusted To A Certain Degree

Posted on January 27, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.” – James Madison (1787)

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgment of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachments of Those In Power Than By Violent and Sudden Usurpations

Posted on January 26, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison, speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Abridgement, Encroachments, First Principles, Freedom, Gradual, Instances, James Madison, Power, Silent, Sudden Usurpations, The People, Violent | Leave a comment

First Principles: National Defense Is One of the Cardinal Duties of A Statesman

Posted on January 25, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“National defense is one of the cardinal duties of a statesman.” – John Adams (1815)

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First Principles: Patriotism Is As Much A Virtue As Justice, and Is As Necessary For the Support of Societies As Natural Affection Is For the Support of Families

Posted on January 24, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.” – Benjamin Rush

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Benjamin Rush, Families, First Principles, Justice, Natural Affection, Necessary, Patriotism, Socieities, Support, Virtue | Leave a comment

First Principles: Meditate On These Things

Posted on January 23, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Brethren, First Principles, Good Report, Honest, Just, Lovely, Meditate, Noble, Philippians 4:8, Praise, Praiseworthy, Pure, Think, True, Virtue | Leave a comment

First Principles: Facts Are Stubborn Things

Posted on January 22, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – John Adams (1770)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alter, Dictates, Evidence, Facts, First Principles, Inclination, John Adams, Passion, Stubbon, Wishes | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Injury Which May Possibly Be Done By Defeating A Few Good Laws, Will Be Amply Compensated By the Advantage of Preventing A Number of Bad Ones

Posted on January 21, 2022 by alohapromisesforever

“The injury which may possibly be done by defeating a few good laws, will be amply compensated by the advantage of preventing a number of bad ones.” – Alexander Hamilton (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Advantage, Alexander Hamilton, Bad, Compensate, Defeat, Few, First Pinricples, Good Laws, Injury, Number, Possible, Prevent | Leave a comment