Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: There Is But One Straight Course, and That Is To Seek Truth and Pursue It Steadily

“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.” – George Washington (1795)

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First Principles: The True Key For the Construction of Everything Doubtful In A Law Is the Intention of the Law-Makers

“The true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Is On Great Occasions Only, and After Time Has Been Given For Cool and Deliberate Reflection, That the Real Voice of the People Can Be Known

“It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.” – George Washington (1796)

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

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

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First Principles: There Is Nothing Concealed That Will Not Be Disclosed, Or Hidden That Will Not Be Made Known

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the … Continue reading

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First Principles: Let Each Citizen Remember At the Moment He Is Offering His Vote That He Is …Executing One of the Most Solemn Trusts In Human Society

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual — or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he … Continue reading

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First Principles: If Angels Were To Govern Men, Neither External Nor Internal Controls On Government Would Be Necessary

“If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary…. [But lacking these] you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” – … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Fabric of American Empire Ought To Rest On the Solid Basis of the Consent of the People

“The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of the consent of the people. The streams of national power ought to flow immediately from that pure, original fountain of all legislative authority.”  – Alexander Hamilton

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First Principles: Only A Virtuous People Are Capable of Freedom. As Nations Become Corrupt and Vicious, They Have More Need of Masters

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” – Benjamin Franklin

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First Principles: I Rejoice In A Belief That Intellectual Light Will Spring Up In the Dark Corners of the Earth

“I rejoice in a belief that intellectual light will spring up in the dark corners of the earth; that freedom of enquiry will produce liberality of conduct.” – George Washington (1789)

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