Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Wise Men Seek After Truth

Posted on January 25, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth — and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Illusions, Liberty, Lies, Painful Truth, Patrick Henry, Salvation, Siren Song, Struggle | Leave a comment

First Principles: Be Deliberate In Planning and Implementing Laws

Posted on January 24, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“In planning, forming, and arranging laws, deliberation is always becoming, and always useful.” – James Wilson

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Constitution, Deliberation, First Principles, Forming, James Wilson, Law, Laws, Legislation, Planning, Utility | Leave a comment

First Principles: Aim Toward Your Honest Duty In Governance

Posted on January 23, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It behooves you, therefore, to think and act for yourself and your people. The great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader; to pursue them requires not the aid of many counselors. The whole art of government … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Credit, Diligence, Discredit, Duty, First Principles, Governance, Government, Honesty, Honor, Morality, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

First Principles: Our Government Is For the Common Good of Its Citizens and Not Just one Class or Group

Posted on January 22, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Common Good, First Principles, Government, John Adams, Private Interests, Reformation, The People | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 21, 2018 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, 1788 … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Benjamin Rush, Certain, Community, First Principles, Law, Liberty, Order, Society, Universal | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Nation Should Promote the Minds and Morals of Its Children

Posted on January 20, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“It should be your care, therefore, and mine, to elevate the minds of our children and exalt their courage; to accelerate and animate their industry and activity; to excite in them an habitual contempt of meanness, abhorrence of injustice and … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Activity, Courage, Dissertation On the Canon and Feudal Law, Education, Enouragement, Excellence, First Principles, Industry, John Adams, Justice, Mental Elevation, Virtues | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Foundations of Public Policy Must Be Private Morality

Posted on January 19, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“The foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens, and command … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Inaugural, First Principles, Foundation, Free Government, George Washington, National Policy, Private Morality, Respect | Leave a comment

First Principles: Guard Against Anyone Seeking To Take Away Liberty

Posted on January 18, 2018 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, speech in the Virginia Ratifying … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Diligence, First Principles, Force, Guard, Liberty, Patrick Henry, Perservation, Self Defense | Leave a comment

First Principles: Man Without Reason Is Like A Ship Without A Rudder

Posted on January 17, 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 sport of every wind.” — Thomas Jefferson (1822)

Posted in First Principles, Uncategorized | Tagged Absurdities, Discernment, First Principles, Humanity, Mankind, Reason, Rudder, Ship, Thomas Jefferson, Winds | Leave a comment

First Principles: Speak Seldom, On Point and With Expertise

Posted on January 16, 2018 by alohapromisesforever

“Speak seldom, but to important subjects, except such as particularly relate to your constituents, and, in the former case, make yourself perfectly master of the subject.” —George Washington (1787)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Expertise, First Principles, Free Speech, George Washington, Public Policy, Speech, Subject | Leave a comment