Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: Systems of Education Should Be Adopted…Which…Implant…the Principles of Virtue and of Liberty

“It is an object of vast magnitude that systems of education should be adopted and pursued which may not only diffuse a knowledge of the sciences but may implant in the minds of the American youth the principles of virtue … Continue reading

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First Principles: Enlightened Statesmen Will Not Always Be At the Helm

“Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” – James Madison (1787)

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First Principles: Without Freedom of Thought There Can Be No Such Thing As Wisdom; and No Such Thing As Public Liberty, Without Freedom of Speech

“Without Freedom of Thought there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as Public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech; which is the Right of every Man, as far as by it, he does not hurt or … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Law of Nature and the Law of Revelation Are Both Divine: They Flow, Though In Different Channels From the Same Adorable Source

“The law of nature and the law of revelation are both Divine: they flow, though in different channels, from the same adorable source. It is indeed preposterous to separate them from each other.” – James Wilson (1804)

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First Principles: Honesty Will Be Found On Every Experiment, To Be the Best and Only True Policy; Let Us Then As A Nation Be Just

“Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a Nation be just.” – George Washington (1783)

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First Principles: Be At War With Your Vices, At Peace With Your Neighbors, and Let Every New Year Find You A Better Man

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.“ – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac (1775)

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First Principles: Always Stand On Principle…Even If You Stand Alone

“Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone.” – John Adams

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First Principles: A Good Moral Character Is the First Essential In A Man

“A good moral character is the first essential in a man…” – George Washington

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First Principles: Our Peculiar Security Is In the Possession of A Written Constitution. Let Us Not Make It A Blank Paper By Construction

“Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.” – Thomas Jefferson (1803)

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First Principles: To Model Our Political Systems Upon Speculations of Lasting Tranquility Would Be to Calculate On the Weaker Springs of Human Character

“To judge from the history of mankind, we shall be compelled to conclude that the fiery and destructive passions of war reign in the human breast with much more powerful sway than the mild and beneficent sentiments of peace; and … Continue reading

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