Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Of All the Dispositions and Habits Which Lead to Political Prosperity, Religion and Morality Are Indispensable Supports

“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensible supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness — these … Continue reading

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First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgment of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachments of Those In Power Than by Violent and Sudden Usurpations

“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: To Prevent Crimes, Is the Noblest End and Aim of Criminal Jurisprudence

“To prevent crimes, is the noblest end and aim of criminal jurisprudence. To punish them, is one of the means necessary for the accomplishment of this noble end and aim.” – James Wilson (1790)

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First Principles: On Every Question of Construction Carry Ourselves Back To the Time When the Constitution Was Adopted, Recollect the Spirit Manifested In the Debates

“On every question of construction carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text or invented against it, … Continue reading

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First Principles: Public Virtue Cannot Exist In A Nation Without Private, and Public Virtue Is the Only Foundation of Republics

“Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics. There must be a positive passion for the public good, the public interest, honour, power and glory, established in the minds of … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Against Such Things There Is No Law

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

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First Principles: Every Government Degenerates When Trusted To the Rulers of the People Alone. The People, Themselves, Therefore, Are Its Only Safe Depositories

“Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories.” – Thomas Jefferson (1781)

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First Principles: The Care of Human Life and Happiness, and Not Their Destruction, Is the First and Only Legitimate Object of Good Government

“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” – Thomas Jefferson (1809)

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First Principles: Wondrously Strange Then and Much To Be Regretted…Were We To Neglect the Means and To Depart From the Road Which Providence Has Pointed Us To So Plainly

“No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America. Wondrously strange, then, and much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and to depart from … Continue reading

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First Principles: A Free People (Claim) Their Rights As Derived From the Laws of Nature, and Not As the Gift of Their Chief Magistrate

“A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” – Thomas Jefferson (1774)

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