Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: It Is Religion and Morality Alone, Which Can Establish the Principles Upon Which Freedom Can Securely Stand

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. … Statesmen may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: There Are More Instances of the Abridgement of the Freedom of the People By Gradual and Silent Encroachment 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

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The General Principles On Which the Fathers Achieved Independence Were the General Principles of Christianity

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Religion and Virtue Are the Only Foundations, Not of Republicanism and All Free Government, But of Social Felicity Under All Government

“[R]eligion and virtue are the only foundations, not of republicanism and of all free government, but of social felicity under all government and in all the combinations of human society.” –-John Adams

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: May the Father of All Mercies Scatter Light, and Not Darkness, Upon Our Paths

“May the father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths.” –George Washington, 1790

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Virgin Will Be With Child and Will Give Birth To A Son, and They Will Call Him Immanuel – Which Means, “God With Us”

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.”– Matthew 1:23 (New International Version)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Experience Is the Oracle of Truth; and Where Its Responses Are Unequivocal, They Ought To Be Conclusive and Sacred

“Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.” – Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (1787)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: I Hate Deception, Even Where the Imagination Only Is Concerned

“I hate deception, even where the imagination only is concerned.” – George Washington (1779)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Popular Government, Without Popular Information, Or the Means of Acquiring It, Is But A Prologue to A Farce Or A Tragedy; Or, Perhaps Both

“A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment