Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles:

“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors?” -Thomas Jefferson (1781)

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First Principles: To Secure These Rights, Governments Are Instituted Among Mankind, Deriving Their Just Powers From the Consent of the Governed

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” – Thomas Jefferson, in The Declaration of Independence

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First Principles: Kings or Parliaments Could Not Give the Rights Essential To Happiness… We Claim Them From A Higher Source – From the King of Kings, and Lord of All the Earth

“Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness… We claim them from a higher source — from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. … Continue reading

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First Principles: It Is Necessary For Every American, With Becoming Energy To Endeavor To Stop the Dissemination of Principles Evidently Destructive of the Cause For Which They Have Bled

“It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people … Continue reading

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First Principles: I Had Always Hoped That the Younger Generation…After the Flame of Liberty Had Been Kindled In Every Breast…Would Have Sympathized With Oppression Wherever Found

“I had always hoped that the younger generation, receiving their early impressions after the flame of liberty had been kindled in every breast … would have sympathized with oppression wherever found, and proved their love of liberty beyond their own … Continue reading

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First Principles: When the Well’s Dry, We Know the Worth of Water

“When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.” – Benjamin Franklin

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First Principles: Knowledge Will Forever Govern Ignorance

“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or … Continue reading

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First Principles: There Is A Degree of Depravity In Mankind Which Requires A Certain Degree of Circumspection and Distrust

“There is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust.” – James Madison

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First Principles: Sometimes It Is Said That Man Cannot Be Trusted With Government of Himself. Can He, Then, Be Trusted With the Government of Others?

“Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others?” – Thomas Jefferson (1801)

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First Principles: We Must Take Human Nature As We Find It, Perfection Falls Not To the Share of Mortals

“We must take human nature as we find it, perfection falls not to the share of mortals.” – George Washington (1786)

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