Nowadays, extensive efforts have been made by some to marginalize our nation's founders, but nothing reveals
the true nature and beliefs of these brave men and women than their own words. Here is a listing of quotations on the topics of
FREEDOM, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION, REVOLUTION, RELIGION, and THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
the true nature and beliefs of these brave men and women than their own words. Here is a listing of quotations on the topics of
FREEDOM, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION, REVOLUTION, RELIGION, and THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS.
QUOTES ABOUT FREEDOM
George Washington
“I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong. “
“It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.”
“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!”
"The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees!"
“It is on great occasions only, and after time has been given for cool and deliberate reflection, that the real voice of the people can be known.”
“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!”
"The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees!"
James Madison
“Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.”
“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations”
“There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations”
Benjamin Franklin
"They that would give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
Thomas Paine
"What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.”
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
Patrick Henry
"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 course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Thomas Jefferson
"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
QUOTES ABOUT EDUCATION
George Washington
“A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?”
John Adams
"The science of government it is my duty to study, more than all other sciences; the arts of legislation and administration and negotiation ought to take the place of, indeed exclude, in a manner, all other arts. I must study politics and war, that our sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. Our sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry and porcelain."
Abigail Adams
“If you complain of neglect of education in sons, what shall I say with regard to daughters, who every day experience the want of it? With regard to the education of my own children, I find myself soon out of my depth, destitute and deficient in every part of education. I most sincerely wish ... that our new Constitution may be distinguished for encouraging learning and virtue. If we mean to have heroes, statesmen, and philosophers, we should have learned women.”
QUOTES ABOUT GOVERNMENT
George Washington
"Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."
James Madison
"History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling the money and its issuance."
“Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government, which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own. That [which] is not [a] just government, nor is property secure under it, [is one] where arbitrary restrictions, exemptions, and monopolies deny to part of its citizens that free use of their … property…”
“Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government, which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own. That [which] is not [a] just government, nor is property secure under it, [is one] where arbitrary restrictions, exemptions, and monopolies deny to part of its citizens that free use of their … property…”
John Adams
“...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the People once surrendered their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it.”
Noah Webster
"If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;…”
Thomas Jefferson
“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world."
QUOTES ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION
Patrick Henry
“The Constitution ….is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
John Adams
“They define a republic to be a government of laws, and not of men."
James Madison
“Equal laws protecting equal rights — the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country"
Thomas Jefferson
"In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution."
Benjamin Rush
“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”
Daniel Webster
"The hand that destroys the Constitution rends our Union asunder forever."
QUOTES ABOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
John Adams
"[America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is in the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, FREEDOM, INDEPENDENCE, PEACE. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice."
"Posterity--you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
"Posterity--you will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it."
George Washington
The fate of unborn millions will now depend. under God, on the courage of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore to resolve to conquer or die."
"…that we then may all unite unto him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection ofthe people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war.”
“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”
“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.”
“I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”
"…that we then may all unite unto him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection ofthe people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war.”
“Every post is honorable in which a man can serve his country.”
“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.”
“I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love.”
Samuel Adams
"We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come."
Benjamin Franklin
In July of 1776, was appointed part of a committee to draft a seal for the newly united states which would characterize the spirit of this new nation. He proposed: "Moses lifting up his wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh in his chariot overwhelmed with the waters. This motto: 'Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."
Abigail Adams
"Charleston is laid in ashes. The battle began upon our entrenchments upon Bunker's Hill, Saturday morning about 3 o'clock, and has not ceased yet, and it is now three o'clock Sabbath afternoon. It is expected they will come out over the Neck tonight, and a dreadful battle must ensue. Almighty God, cover the heads of our countrymen, and be a shield to our dear friends..."
Thomas Paine
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”
QUOTES ABOUT RELIGION
Patrick Henry
"It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains."
William Penn
"If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him....Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
Abigail Adams
"A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest Man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society?....The Scriptures tell us "righteousness exalteth a Nation."
Benjamin Franklin
"I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God Governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
Daniel Webster
"If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country, I do not know what is going to become of us as a nation. If truth be not diffused, error will be; If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy, ….”
Benjamin Rush
"By removing the Bible from schools we would be wasting so much time and money in punishing criminals and so little pains to prevent crime. Take the Bible out of our schools and there would be an explosion in crime."
George Washington
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States."
James Madison
"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God."
John Adams
"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.”
"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.
"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.
Thomas Paine
"The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the king of America? I'll tell you, friend, He reigns above.”
Alexander Hamilton
"I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man.”
QUOTES ABOUT THE SECOND AMENDMENT
(the right to keep and bear arms)
Daniel Webster
"God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it."
Gouverneur Morris
"Americans need never fear their government because of the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation."
Patrick Henry
"The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun."
Samuel Adams
"The said constitution shall never be construed to authorize congress to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
Thomas Jefferson
"No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
George Washington
"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth."
