Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: It Is Better To Be Despised For Simplicity Than To Be Tormented By Continual Hypocrisy

Posted on February 21, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“Virtue runs no risk of becoming contemptible by being exposed to view, and it is better to be despised for simplicity than to be tormented by continual hypocrisy.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC-AD 65) Bloomberg’s dismissive statements against farmers … Continue reading →

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First Principles: In the Country of the Blind the One-Eyed Man Is King

Posted on February 20, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king.” – Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)

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First Principles: The Aim of Every Constitution Ought Be To Obtain Rule By Those Possessing the Discernment To Pursue Society’s Common Good

Posted on February 19, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.” – James Madison (1788)

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First Principles: There Exists In the Economy and Course of Nature, An Indissoluble Union Between Virtue and Happiness

Posted on February 18, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“There exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.” – … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Advantage, Duty, Economy, Exist, Felicity, First Principles, Genuine, George Washington, Happiness, Honest, Indissoluble, Magnanimous, Maxim, Nature, Policy, Prosperity, Public, Reward, Union, Virtue | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Republic Is Defined As A Government of Laws, and Not of Men

Posted on February 16, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men.” – John Adams (1775) Not a democracy, a republic. How have so many lost their way on this one, both sides of the majoritarian aisle. … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Aristotle, Define, First Principles, Government, Harrington, John Adams, Laws, Livy, Men, Republic | Leave a comment

First Principles: Mankind Must Be Ready To Sacrifice To Protect the Rights of Society

Posted on February 15, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights of society.” – John Adams (1776) … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Competition, Connection, First Principles, Friendship, Happy, Interest, John Adams, Mankind, Passion, Pride, Private Pleasure, Rights, Sacrifice, Society, Stand | Leave a comment

First Principles: Endeavor Not Only To Be Learned But Virtuous

Posted on February 14, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man, and that the habits contracted at your age are generally indelible, and your conduct here may stamp your character through life. It is therefore highly important that you should … Continue reading →

Posted in First Principles | Tagged Character, Conduct, Endeavor, Essential, First Principles, George Washington, Good, Habit, Important, Indelible, Learned, Life, Mankind, Moral, Stamp, Virtuous | Leave a comment

First Principles: Laws Are Made For Men of Ordinary Understanding and Should Be Construed By Ordinary Rules of Common Sense

Posted on February 13, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at … Continue reading →

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First Principles: It Is Error Only, and Not Truth, That Shrinks From Inquiry

Posted on February 12, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.” – Thomas Paine, philosopher and writer (9 Feb 1737-1809)

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First Principles: We Must Not Let Our Rulers Load Us With Perpetual Debt

Posted on February 12, 2020 by alohapromisesforever

“We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” – Thomas Jefferson (1816) Regardless of which side of the divide in politics we sit on, we should each recognize that leaving perpetual debt on our children’s … Continue reading →

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