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Category Archives: First Principles
First Principles: Pursue Truth Steadily
“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.” – George Washington (1795) I could not find a transcribed copy of George Washington’s Letter to Edmund Randolph, of July 31, 1795. I did, … Continue reading
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Tagged Edmund Randolph, First Principles, George Washington, Steady, Straight Course, Truth
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First Principles: Stability In Government
“Stability in government is essential to national character and to the advantages annexed to it, as well as to that repose and confidence in the minds of the people, which are among the chief blessings of civil society.”- James Madison … Continue reading
First Principles: Action On Issues Creates Enemies
“Men of energy of character must have enemies; because there are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion as … Continue reading
First Principles: On Understanding the Balance Between Liberty and Power
“[I]n the mouths of some [Liberty] means anything, which enervate a necessary government; excite a jealousy of the rulers who are our own choice, and keep society in confusion for want of a power sufficiently concentered to promote good.” – … Continue reading
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Tagged AntiFederalist Papers, Balance, Justice, Landholder, Liberty, Oliver Ellsworth, Power, Supreme Court
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First Principles: An Honest Heart Is Its First Blessing
“It is of great importance to set a resolution, not to be shaken, never to tell an untruth. There is no vice so mean, so pitiful, so contemptible; and he who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it … Continue reading
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Tagged Blessing, Disposition, Falsehood of the Tongue, First Principles, Habitual, Lies, Wisdom
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First Principles: Radical Change Starts In the Minds and Hearts
“But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, … Continue reading
First Principles: Promotion of the Human Mind Adds To National Wealth
“To cherish and stimulate the activity of the human mind, by multiplying the objects of enterprise, is not among the least considerable of the expedients, by which the wealth of a nation may be promoted.” – Alexander Hamilton This quote … Continue reading
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Tagged Enterprise, First Principles, Hamilton, Human Mind, Report On Manufactures, Wealth
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First Principles: Religious Liberty
Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer. Because of this I took a little time off to do just that. There can be no more worthy a pursuit than to pray and meditate on the state of the United States … Continue reading
First Principles: Separation Between Politics and Personalities
“It’s been a great source of pain to me to have met with so many among [my] opponents who have not had the liberality to distinguish between political and social opposition; who transferred at once to the person, the hatred … Continue reading
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Tagged Distinguish, Founders, Hatred, Jefferson, Liberality, Opinions, Opponents, Pain, Political Opposition, Social Opposition, Transferred
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First Principles: Interests Are Inseparable From Moral Duties
“We are firmly convinced, and we act on that conviction, that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties, and history bears witness to the fact that a just nation … Continue reading
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Tagged Armaments, George Washington, History, Individual Interests, Moral Duties, Thomas Jefferson, Trust, War, Witness
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ALOHA PROMISES FOREVER 