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Comforting quotes from our founding fathers!

mazellan819

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At least they comfort me a little in this time of uncertainty.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

James Madison, speech at the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787


A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822


A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species.

James Madison, Essay on Property, March 29, 1792


Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Carrington, January 16, 1787


An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens....There has never been a moment of my life in which I should have relinquished for it the enjoyments of my family, my farm, my friends & books.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Melish, January 13, 1813


All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801


A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive.

Thomas Jefferson, letter to Lafayette, 1823


How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.

Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743


History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy... These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened.

Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations, Circa 1774


Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason.

Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735



Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776


Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

John Adams, in Defense of the British Soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre, December 4, 1770


But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775


Nelly Custis-Lewis (Washington’s adopted daughter):
Is it necessary that any one should [ask], “Did General Washington avow himself to be a believer in Christianity?" As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic devotion to his country. His mottos were, "Deeds, not Words"; and, "For God and my Country."


Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."



Thomas Jefferson:
"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”


Benjamin Franklin: | Portrait of Ben Franklin
“ God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech
 

Slayer of Paper

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Thomas Jefferson was, in my humble opinion our greatest president. I am fond of quoting him. Here is one of my favorites, an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

"...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..."
 

darthmord

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Oct 10, 2008
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Norfolk, Virginia, USA
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Slayer of Paper wrote:
Thomas Jefferson was, in my humble opinion our greatest president. I am fond of quoting him. Here is one of my favorites, an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

"...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..."

Did you notice that it's illegal to overthrow the US Government... yet it was formed by the very same action?

I find the irony alternating between funny and sad.
 

Slayer of Paper

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It was illegal to overthrow British control over the American colonies, but they did it, all the same. We are forever in their debt for doing so.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence all understood that if their revolution failed, their signature on that document would guarantee their own executions.

Besides, I disagree that it is illegal. The founding fathers believed that is is a right to alter or abolish a government that has become destructive. I'll go it one further: I believe it's not just a right but a duty.
 

Panos1296

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Jun 13, 2008
Messages
78
Location
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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"When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny."

"The beauty of the 2nd ammendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it."

"The constitutions of most of our states assert that all power is inherent in the people, that is their right and duty to be at all times armed."

-Thomas Jefferson

"The very atmosphere of firearms, anywhere and everywhere, restrains evil interference. They deserve a place of honor with all that is good."

-George Washington

"To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."

-George Mason

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined."

-Thomas Paine

"While it is certainly true that guns can be dangerous, the idea that the state should decide who should have the ability to defend themselves is even more dangerous."

-Citizen X, Liberty Radio Underground
 
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