Tag Archives: First Principles

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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First Principles: Those…Who Will Be Elected Senators, Will Fix Themselves In the Federal Town, and Become Citizens of That Town More Than of Your State

“Those gentlemen, who will be elected senators, will fix themselves in the federal town, and become citizens of that town more than of your state.” – George Mason (1788)

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First Principles: The Name of American…Must Always Exalt the Just Pride of Patriotism, More Than Any Appellation Derived From Local Discrimination

“The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” – George Washington (1796)

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First Principles: The Happiness of Your Life Depends Upon the Quality of Your Thoughts

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”– Marcus Aurelius, in Meditations

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First Principles: The Constitution Is the Guide Which I Will Never Abandon

” The Constitution Is the Guide Which I Will Never Abandon.” – George Washington

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First Principles: Had Every Athenian Citizen Been A Socrates, Every Athenian Assembly Would Still Have Been A Mob

“Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: I Am Willing To Know the Whole Truth; To Know the Worst and To Provide For It

“Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I … Continue reading →

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