Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Virtue Is Not Hereditary

Posted on September 19, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.” – Thomas Paine (1776)

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First Principles: The Only Straight Course Is To Seek Truth Steadily

Posted on September 18, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.” – George Washington (1795)

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First Principle: At Special Times and After Cool, Deliberate Thinking, The Real Voice of the People May Be Known

Posted on September 17, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.” – George Washington, letter to Edward Carrington, 1796

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First Principles: All Should Be Given Equal and Exact Justice Under the Rule of Law

Posted on September 16, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever persuasion, religious or political.” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)

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First Principles: If We Ensure the Goodness of Our Cause and Rely On God, We Will Be Encouraged To Noble Actions

Posted on September 15, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die. … Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and … Continue reading →

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First Principles: The Best Legislation Comes From Methodical Deliberation and Resolve

Posted on September 13, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Men, to act with vigor and effect, must have time to mature measures, and judgment and experience, as to the best method of applying them. They must not be hurried on to their conclusions by the passions, or the fears … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Application, Conclusions, Deliberation, Effect, First Principles, Joseph Story, Mankind, Methodical, Reasoned, Resolve, Vigor | Comments Off

First Principles: The Known Propensity of Democracy Is Toward Licentiousness

Posted on September 12, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty.” – Fisher Ames, speech in the Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788

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First Principles: Reason Is the Guard Against Humanity’s Absurdities

Posted on September 11, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the spot of every wind. With such persons, gullability, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand … Continue reading →

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First Principles: It Is Preposterous To Attempt Separating the Law of Nature From the Law of Revelation

Posted on September 10, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The law of nature and the law of revelation are both Divine: they flow, though in different channels, from the same adorable source. It is indeed preposterous to separate them from each other.” – James Wilson, of the Law of … Continue reading →

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First Principles: National Defense Is A Cardinal Duty

Posted on September 9, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

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

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