Tag Archives: Noah Webster

First Principles: If the Citizens Neglect Their Duty and Place Unprincipled Men In Office, the Government Will Soon Be Corrupted

“If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted . . . . If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Virtues of Men Are of More Consequence To Society Than Their Abilities; and For This Reason, the Heart Should Be Cultivated With More Assiduity Than the Head

“The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.” – Noah Webster (1788) (Virtues to be cultivated are courage, patience, and … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Every Child In America Should Be Acquainted With His Own Country. He Should Read Books That Furnish Him With Ideas That Will Be Useful To Him In Life and Practice

“Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: If A Republican Government Fails To Secure Public Prosperity and Happiness, It Must Be Because the Citizens Neglect the Divine Commands, and Elect Bad Men To Make and Administer the Laws

“If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted… If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the Divine commands, and … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Christian Religion Must Be the Basis of Any Government Intended To Secure the Rights and Privileges of A Free People

“In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed. … No truth is more evident to my mind than that the … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: In Selecting Men For Office, Let Principle Be Your Guide. Regard Not the Particular Sect Or Denomination of the Candidate – Look At His Character

“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate — look to his character.” – Noah Webster (1789)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Virtues of Men Are of More Consequence To Society Than Their Abilities

“The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.” – Noah Webster (1788)

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Before A Standing Army Can Rule, the People Must Be Disarmed; As They Are In Almost Every Kingdom of Europe

“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe.” – Noah Webster (1787) When someone tells you that the right to bear arms exists for target practice and hunting, … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Every Child In America Should Be Acquainted With His Own Country

“Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment