Founders’ Quotes

A fondness for power is implanted, in most men, and it is natural to abuse it, when acquired.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

To prevent crimes, is the noblest end and aim of criminal jurisprudence. To punish them, is one of the means necessary for the accomplishment of this noble end and aim.

Government implies the power of making laws. It is essential to the idea of a law, that it be attended with a sanction; or, in other words, a penalty or punishment for disobedience.

The consciousness of having discharged that duty which we owe to our country is superior to all other considerations.

No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America.

Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason and the mind becomes a wreck.

One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them.

The steady character of our countrymen is a rock to which we may safely moor; and notwithstanding the efforts of the papers to disseminate early discontents, I expect that a just, dispassionate and steady conduct, will at length rally to a proper system the great body of our country.

I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

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.

To prevent crimes, is the noblest end and aim of criminal jurisprudence.

We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth — and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts.

A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable.

Let justice be done though the heavens should fall.

[The press] is a precious pest, and a necessary mischief, and there would be no liberty without it.

It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness.