No legislative act

No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the constitution, can be valid.
Alexander Hamilon

The probability that we may

The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.
Abraham Lincoln

Shall we live

Shall we live as if we and our country were self-dependant and had nothing to do with the Supreme Ruler of the Universe?  Can an army of saints or of heroes defend an obnoxious people, ripe for destruction, from the righteous judgment of God?
Samuel Davies, May 8, 1758

Those who own

Those Who Own the Country Ought to Govern It.
John Jay
Slogan of the Federalist Party

I regret that I

I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.
Nathan Hall
Last words before being hanged by the British as a spy.
September 22, 1776

Truth is one

Truth is one.  It never contradicts itself.  One truth cannot contradict another truth...If wrong opinions have often been cherished by the masses, the cause always lies in the complexity of the ideas presented.
George Bancroft
August, 1835

The basis of governments

The basis of governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right...
Thomas Jefferson, January 16, 1787

All scholars shall

All scholars shall live religious, godly, and blameless lives according to the rules of God's Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon all the duties of religion, both in public and secret.
Regulations at Yale College, 1745

A free government

A free government like ours cannot be maintained except by an enlightened and virtuous people...
Philip Lindsley, January 12, 1825

Before any man

Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the universe...
James Madison, July 14, 1826

There I guess

There, I guess King George will be able to read that.
John Hancock, affixing a bold signature to the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Guard against the impostures

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."
George Washington

Arbitrary power is most

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."
George Washington

Is life so dear

"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death."
Patrick Henry

Delay is preferable

"Delay is preferable to error."
Thomas Jefferson

A wise and frugal

"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government."
Thomas Jefferson

But this idle complaining

But this idle complaining, wishing, and lamenting, and boasting will answer no end.  Something must be done!  Must be done by you!
Samuel Davies
May 8, 1758

It is friendly to religion

It [learning] is friendly to religion inasmuch as it assists in removing prejudice, superstition, and enthusiasm; in promoting just notions of the Deity; in enlarging our knowledge of His works.
Benjamin Rush
A plan for the establishment of public schools, 1786

Nearly all men can

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
Abraham Lincoln

Any man more

Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already.

Henry David Thoreau, 1849

I hold it that

I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.
Thomas Jefferson, January 30, 1787

My men, yonder

My men, yonder are the Hessians.  They were bought for seven pounds and ten pence a man.  Are you worth more?  Prove it.  Tonight, the American flag floats from yonder hill or Molly Stark sleeps a widow!
General John Stark, August 16, 1777
Before the Battle of Bennington

I pray Heaven to

I pray Heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this House and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it.  May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.
John Adams, Saturday, November 1, 1800
On his first night in the White House

The public happiness is

The public happiness is the true object of legislation, and can be secured only by the masses of mankind themselves awakening to the knowledge and the care of their own interests.
George Bancroft, August 1835

I have heard that

I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure as to find his works respectfully quoted by others.
Ben Franklin 1758

Government is not reason

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
George Washington

Few men have virtue

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."
George Washington

The liberties of a people

"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them."
Patrick Henry

Are we at last brought

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?"
Patrick Henry

All tyranny needs

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."
Thomas Jefferson

Bill of Rights

"A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference."
Thomas Jefferson

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