Founders’ Quotes

To judge from the history of mankind, we shall be compelled to conclude that the fiery and destructive passions of war reign in the human breast with much more powerful sway than the mild and beneficent sentiments of peace.

If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.

There is a rank due to the United States, among nations, which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.

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

It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute.

Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

The natural cure for an ill-administration, in a popular or representative constitution, is a change of men.

The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.

To cherish and stimulate the activity of the human mind, by multiplying the objects of enterprise, is not among the least considerable of the expedients, by which the wealth of a nation may be promoted.

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition.

Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.

The natural cure for an ill-administration ... is a change of men.

It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf.

Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one.

Patriotism is as much a virtue as justice, and is as necessary for the support of societies as natural affection is for the support of families.

Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants.

The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.