Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: To Suppose That Any Form of Government Will Secure Liberty or Happiness Without Any Virtue In the People, Is A Chimerical Idea

“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks-no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any … Continue reading

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First Principles: Without Debate, Without Criticism, No Administration, and No Country Can Succeed, and No Republic Can Survive

“Without debate, without criticism no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive.” – John F. Kennedy

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First Principles: That In Controversies Respecting Property, and In Suits Between Man and Man, the Ancient Trial By Jury Is Preferable To Any Other and Ought To Be Held Sacred

“That In Controversies Respecting Property, and In Suits Between Man and Man, the Ancient Trial By Jury Is Preferable To Any Other and Ought To Be Held Sacred.” – George Mason

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First Principles: The Rights of Neutrality Will Only Be Respected When They Are Defended By An Adequate Power

“The rights of neutrality will only be respected when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.” – Alexander Hamilton (1787)

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First Principles: Do Not Conform To the Pattern of This World, But Be Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind. Then You Will Be Able To Test and Approve What God’s Will Is

 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 (NIV)

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First Principles: Heaven Forming Each On Other To Depend, Bids Each On Other For Assistance Call, ‘Till One Man’s Weakness Grows the Strength of All

“Heaven, forming each on other to depend, Bids each on other for assistance call, ‘Till one man’s weakness grows the strength of all. Wants, frailties, passions closer still ally The common interest, or endear the tie: To these we owe … Continue reading

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First Principles: If Ever A Time Should Come, When Vain and Aspiring Men Shall Possess the Highest Seats In Government, Our Country Will Stand In Need of Its Experienced Patriots To Prevent Its Ruin

“If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.” – Samuel Adams

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First Principles: To Be Prepared For War Is One of the Most Effectual Means of Preserving Peace

“To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.” – George Washington (1790)

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First Principles: The Foundation of National Morality Must Be Laid In Private Families

“The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families. … In vain are Schools, Academies, and Universities instituted, if loose principles and licentious habits are impressed upon children in their earliest years.” – John Adams (1778)

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First Principles: If We Can Prevent the Government From Wasting the Labors of the People, Under the Pretence of Taking Care of Them, They Must Become Happy

“If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.” – Thomas Jefferson (1802)

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