Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Wish Not So Much To Live Long As To Live Well

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin (1746)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Freedom of Speech May Be Taken Away, and, Dumb and Silent We May Be Led Like Sheep, To the Slaughter

[I]f Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Blessed Are the Peacemakers, For They Will Be Called the Children of God

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – (Matthew 5:9)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Bosom of America Is Open To Receive Not Only the Opulent and Respectable Stranger, but the Oppressed and Persecuted

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted … if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.” —George Washington (1783)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: One of the Most Essential Branches of English Liberty Is the Freedom of One’s House. A Man’s House Is His Castle

“One of the most essential branches of English liberty is the freedom of one’s house. A man’s house is his castle.” – James Otis, on the Writs of Assistance, 1761

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: States, Like Individuals, Who Observe Their Engagements, Are Respected and Trusted: While the Reverse Is the Fate of Those Who Pursue An Opposite Conduct

“States, like individuals, who observe their engagements, are respected and trusted: while the reverse is the fate of those who pursue an opposite conduct.” – Alexander Hamilton (1790)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: State Governments Possess Inherent Advantages, Which Will Ever Give Them An Influence and Ascendency Over the National Government, and Will Forever Preclude the Possibility of Federal Encroachments

“The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendency over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: No Man Is Good Enough To Govern Another Man Without That Other’s Consent. I Say This Is the Leading Principle – the Sheet Anchor of American Republicanism

“(N)o man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent. I say this is the leading principle—the sheet anchor of American republicanism.” – Abraham Lincoln, Speech on the Repeal of the Missouri Compromise ( October 16 1854)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: No Mound of Parchment Can Be So Formed As To Stand Against the Sweeping Torrent of Boundless Ambition

“No mound of parchment can be so formed as to stand against the sweeping torrent of boundless ambition on the one side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other.” – George Washington (1789)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You; Good Measure, Pressed Down, and Shaken Together, and Running Over, Shall Men Give Into Your Bosom

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.” – Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment