Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: As Long As Marriage Exists, Knowledge, Property and Influence Will Accumulate In Families

“As long as Property exists, it will accumulate in Individuals and Families. As long as Marriage exists, Knowledge, Property and Influence will accumulate in Families.” – John Adams, in Letter to Abigail Adams  (July 17, 1775)      

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First Principles: There Is No Good Government But That Which is Republican

“There is no good government but what is republican. That the only valuable part of the British constitution is so; for the true idea of a republic is “an empire of laws, and not of men.” That, as a republic … Continue reading →

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First Principles: The Very Definition of Tyranny Is When All Powers Are Gathered Under One Place

“The very definition of tyranny is when all powers are gathered under one place.” – James Madison in The Federalist No. 47      

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First Principles: Wish Not As Much To Live Long As To Live Well

“Wish not as much to live long as to live well.” – Benjamin Franklin, in Poor Richards Almanack (1746)      

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First Principles: They Who Permit Themselves To Lie Once, Find It Much Easier To Do Until It Becomes Habitual

“He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and a third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world’s … 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      

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First Principles: Justice Is the End of Government and Civil Society

“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.” – James Madison, in The Federalist Papers, … Continue reading →

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First Principles: When Planning For Posterity, Remember That Virtue Is Not Hereditary

“When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.” – Thomas Paine (1776)      

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First Principles: We Have No Government With Power Capable of Contending With Human Passions Unbridled By Morality and Religion

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution … Continue reading →

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First Principles: A Militia When Properly Formed Are In Fact the People Themselves

“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves… and include all men capable of bearing arms. . . To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.” – Richard Henry Lee, … Continue reading →

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