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: I, However, Place Economy Among the First and Most Important Republican Virtues, and Public Debt As the Greatest of the Dangers To Be Feared

“I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared.”– Thomas Jefferson 

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First Principles: I Am Well Aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure That It Will Cost To Maintain This Declaration, and Support and Defend These States

“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.” – John Adams

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First Principles: In Proportion As the Structure of A Government Gives Force In Public Opinion, It Is Essential That Public Opinion Should Be Enlightened

“In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.” – George Washington (1796)

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First Principles: If We Move In Mass, Be It Ever So Circuitously, We Shall Attain Our Object

“If we move in mass, be it ever so circuitously, we shall attain our object; but if we break into squads, everyone pursuing the path he thinks most direct, we become an easy conquest to those who can now barely … Continue reading

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First Principles: Honor, Justice, and Humanity, Forbid Us Tamely To Surrender That Freedom Which We Received From Our Gallant Ancestors

“Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding … Continue reading

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First Principles: Our Obligations To Our Country Never Cease But With Our Lives

“Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.” – John Adams (1808)

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First Principles: Children Should Be Educated and Instructed In the Principles of Freedom

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” – John Adams, Defense of Constitutions, 1787

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First Principles: It Has Been A Source of Great Pain To Me To Have Met With So Many Among My Opponents Who Had Not the Liberality To Distinguish Between Political and Social Opposition

“It has been a source of great pain to me to have met with so many among [my] opponents who had not the liberality to distinguish between political and social opposition; who transferred at once to the person, the hatred … Continue reading

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First Principles: Justice Is the End of Government. It Is the End of Civil Society. It Ever Has Been and Ever Will Be Pursued Until It Be Obtained

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.” – James Madison, Federalist No. 51, … Continue reading

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