Tag Archives: First Principles

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

“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

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First Principles: The Right of Freely Examining Public Characters and Measures, and of Free Communication Among the People Thereon… Has Ever Been Justly Deemed the Only Effectual Guardian of Every Other Right

“The right of freely examining public characters and measures, and of free communication among the people thereon … has ever been justly deemed the only effectual guardian of every other right.”– James Madison (1798)

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First Principles: It Is An Object of Vast Magnitude That Systems of Education Should Be Adopted…Which…May…Diffuse A Knowledge of the Sciences But May Implant…the Principles of Virtue and of Liberty

“It is an object of vast magnitude that systems of education should be adopted and pursued which may not only diffuse a knowledge of the sciences but may implant in the minds of the American youth the principles of virtue … Continue reading

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First Principles: Those Who Expect To Reap the Blessings of Freedom, Must, Like Men, Undergo the Fatigues of Supporting It

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” – Thomas Paine (1777)

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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: Patriotism Is As Much A Virtue As Justice and Is As Necessary For the Support of Societies As Natural Affection Is For the Support of Families

“Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.” – Benjamin Rush (1773)

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First Principles: The Most Important Consequence of Marriage Is That the Husband and Wife Become In Law Only One Person

“The most important consequence of marriage is, that the husband and the wife become in law only one person… Upon this principle of union, almost all the other legal consequences of marriage depend. This principle, sublime and refined, deserves to … Continue reading

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First Principles: Be Courteous To All, But Intimate With Few and Let Those Few Be Well Tried Before You Give Them Your Confidence

“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence; true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks and adversity before it … 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: Facts Are Stubborn Things

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – John Adams (1770)

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