Tag Archives: First Principles

First Principles: In Disquisitions of Every Kind There Are Certain Primary Truths, or First Principles, Upon Which All Subsequent Reasoning Must Depend

“In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend.” – Alexander Hamilton (1787)

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First Principles: Where There Is No Law, There Is No Liberty; and Nothing Deserves the Name of Law But That Which Is Certain and Universal In Its Operation

“Where there is no law, there is no liberty; and nothing deserves the name of law but that which is certain and universal in its operation upon all the members of the community.” – Benjamin Rush (1788)

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First Principles: The Multiplication of Public Offices, Increase of Expense Beyond Income, Growth and Entailment of A Public Debt, Are Indications Soliciting the Employment of the Pruning Knife

“The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt, are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife.” – Thomas Jefferson (1821)

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First Principles: The General Government Is Not To Be Charged With the Whole Power of Making and Administering Laws: Its Jurisdiction Is Limited To Certain Enumerated Objects

“The general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws: its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic, but which are not to be attained … Continue reading

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First Principles: The Evils We Experience Flow From the Excess of Democracy. The People Do Not Want Virtue, But Are the Dupes of Pretended Patriots

“The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy. The people do not want virtue, but are the dupes of pretended patriots.” —Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814)

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First Principles: Do You Wish To Rise? Begin By Descending. You Plan A Tower That Will Pierce the Clouds? Lay First the Foundation of Humility

“Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.” – St. Augustine (354-430)

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First Principles: It Is Highly Important That You Should Endeavor Not Only To Be Learned But Virtuous

“It is … highly important that you should endeavor not only to be learned but virtuous.” – George Washington (1790)

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First Principles: There Is But One Straight Course, and That Is To Seek Truth and Pursue It Steadily

“There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.” – George Washington

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First Principles: Be In General Virtuous, and You Will Be Happy

“Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy.” – Benjamin Franklin (1768)

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First Principles: Religion and Good Morals Are the Only Solid Foundation of Public Liberty and Happiness

“Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.” – Samuel Adams (1778)

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