Category Archives: First Principles

First Principles: The General Spread of the Light of Science Has Already Laid Open To Every View the Palpable Truth, That the Mass of Mankind Has Not Been Born With Saddles On Their Backs

Posted on September 8, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Backs, Born, Favored Few, First Principles, Grace of God, Legitimate, Light of Science, Mass of Mankind, Palpable Truth, Ride, Saddle, Spread, Thomas Jefferson, View | Leave a comment

First Principles: Law and Liberty Cannot Rationally Become the Objects of Our Love, Unless They First Become of the Objects of Our Knowledge

Posted on September 7, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge.” – James Wilson (1790)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged A Discourse On the Love of Our Country (1774), First Principles, James Wilson, Knowledge, Law, Liberty, Objects, Rational | Leave a comment

First Principles: There Is No Maxim…Which Is More Liable To Be Misapplied,…Than…That the Interest of the Majority Is the Political Standard of Right and Wrong

Posted on September 6, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“There is no maxim in my opinion which is more liable to be misapplied, and which therefore needs elucidation than the current one that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong.” – James Madison … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Current, Elucidation, First Princicples, Interest, James Madison, Liable, Majority, Maxim, Misapplied, Opinion, Political Standard, Right and Wrong | Leave a comment

First Principles: I Know No Safe Depository of the Ultimate Power of the Society But the People Themselves

Posted on September 5, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Abuse, Constitutional Power, Control, Discretion, Education, Enlighten, Exercise, First Principles, Inform, Know, Remedy, Safe Depository, Society, The People, Thomas Jefferson, True Corrective, Ultimate Powers | Leave a comment

First Principles: Labor To Keep Alive In Your Breast That Little Spark of Celestial Fire Called Conscience

Posted on September 4, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.” – George Washington (1748)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Alive, Breast, Celestial Fire, Conscience, First Principles, George Washington, Labor, Rules of Civility and Other Writings and Speeches (1748), Spark | Leave a comment

First Principles: Discretion Will Protect You, and Understanding Will Guard You. Wisdom Will Save you From the Ways of Wicked Men

Posted on September 3, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“11Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. from men whose words are perverse” 12Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men” – Proverbs 2:11-12

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Discretion, First Principles, Guard, Perverse, Protect, Proverbs 2:11-12, Save, Understanding, Ways, Wicked Men, Wisdom | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Natural Flights of the Human Mind Are Not From Pleasure To Pleasure, But From Hope To Hope

Posted on September 2, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.” – Samuel Johnson, Rambler No. 1 (March 24, 1750)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged First Principles, Flight, Hope, Human Mind, Natural, Pleasure, Rambler No.1, Samuel Johnson | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Great Principles of Right and Wrong Are Legible To Every Reader

Posted on September 1, 2023 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 →

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First Principles: The Consciousness of Having Discharged That Duty Which We Owe To Our Country Is Superior To All Other Considerations

Posted on August 31, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other considerations.” – George Washington (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Consciousness, Country, Discharge, Duty, First Principles, George Washington, Other Considerations, Superior | Leave a comment

First Principles: Republics Are Created By the Virtue, Public Spirit, and Intelligence of the Citizens

Posted on August 30, 2023 by alohapromisesforever

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens.” – Joseph Story

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Citizens, Created, First Princioples, Intelligence, Joseph Story, Public Spirit, Republics, Virtue | Leave a comment