Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: The Only Foundation For A Useful Education In A Republic Is To Be Laid On the Foundation of Religion…Without This There Can Be No Virtue, and Without Virtue There Is No Liberty

“I proceed … to inquire what mode of education we shall adopt so as to secure to the state all of the advantages that are to be derived from the proper instruction of the youth; and here I beg leave to … Continue reading

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First Principles: America’s Glory Is Not Dominion, But Liberty. Her March Is the March of the Mind.

“[America’s] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her declaration: this has been, … Continue reading

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First Principles: There Will Never Be A Really Free and Enlightened State until the State Comes To Recognize the Individual As A Higher and Independent Power

“There will never be a really free and enlightened State until the State comes to recognize the individual as a higher and independent power, from which all its own power and authority are derived, and treats him accordingly.” – Henry … Continue reading

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First Principles: What Is Government Itself but the Greatest of All Reflections on Human Nature?

“But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.“– James … Continue reading

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First Principles: Falsehood of the Tongue Leads To That of the Heart, and In Time Depraves All Its Good Disposition

“Falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good disposition.” – Thomas Jefferson (1785)

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First Principles: Every Actual State Is Corrupt. Good Men Must Not Obey Laws Too Well.

“Every actual state is corrupt. Good men must not obey laws too well.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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First Principles: Newspapers…Serve As Chimneys To Carry Off Noxious Vapors and Smoke

“Newspapers … serve as chimnies to carry off noxious vapors and smoke.” – Thomas Jefferson (1802)

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First Principles: There Is A Rank Due to the United States, Among Nations, Which Will Be Withheld, If Not Absolutely Lost, By the Reputation of Weakness

“There is a rank due to the United States, among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.” – George Washington (1793)

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First Principles: The Greatest Good We Can Do Our Country Is To Heal Its Party Divisions and Make Them One People

“The greatest good we can do our country is to heal its party divisions and make them one people.” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)

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First Principles: One Single Object Will Merit the Endless Gratitude of the Society: That of Restraining the Judges From Usurping Legislation

“One single object … [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation.” – Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Livingston, 1825

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