Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Legislation Can Neither Be Wise Nor Just Which Seeks the Welfare of A Single Interest At the Expense and To the Injury of Many and Varied Interests

“Legislation can neither be wise nor just which seeks the welfare of a single interest at the expense and to the injury of many and varied interests.” – Andrew Johnson

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First Principles: It Is A Principal Incorporated Into the Settled Policy of America, That As Peace Is Better Than War, War Is Better Than Tribute

“It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute.” – James Madison (1816)

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First Principles: A Person May Cause Evil To Others Not Only By His Actions But By His Inaction, and In Either Case, He Is Justly Accountable To Them For the Injury

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.” – John Stuart Mill, in On Liberty

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First Principles: Facts Are Stubborn Things; and Whatever May Be Our Wishes, Our Inclinations, Or the Dictates of Our Passions, They Cannot Alter the State of Facts and Evidence

“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)

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First Principles: If Everyone Were Clothed With Integrity, If Every Heart Were Just, Frank, Kindly, the Other Virtues Would Be Well-Nigh Useless

“If everyone were clothed with integrity, if every heart were just, frank, kindly, the other virtues would be well-nigh useless, since their chief purpose is to make us bear with patience the injustice of our fellows.” – Molière (1622-1673)

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First Principles: Blessed Is the Man Who Perseveres Under Trial, Because When He Has Stood the Test, He Will Receive the Crown of Life That God Has Promised To Those Who Love Him

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12 (New International Version)

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First Principles: A Generous Person Will Prosper; Whoever Refreshes Others Will Be Refreshed

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

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First Principles: The President of the United States Should Strive To Be Always Mindful of the Fact That He Serves His Party Best Who Serves His Country Best

“The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best.” – Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States

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First Principles: The Spirit of Resistance To Government Is So Valuable On Certain Occasions, That I Wish It To Be Always Kept Alive

“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like … Continue reading

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First Principles: If Your Determination Is Fixed, I Do Not Counsel You To Despair. Few Things Are Impossible To Diligence and Skill

“If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.” – Samuel Johnson

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