Founders’ Quotes

Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.

We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.

Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy.

It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government.

There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

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

I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.

Newspapers ... serve as chimnies to carry off noxious vapors and smoke.

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.

It will not be doubted, that with reference either to individual, or National Welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as Nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent; and renders the cultivation of the Soil more and more, an object of public patronage.

Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.

Nothing is more certain than that a general profligacy and corruption of manners make a people ripe for destruction.

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors?

A good government implies two things; first, fidelity to the objects of the government; secondly, a knowledge of the means, by which those objects can be best attained.

Judges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.

Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.