Quotes of the USA's Founding Forefathers

TNHermit · #21 06/25/12, 11:48 AM

TNHermit · #22 06/25/12, 11:49 AM

TNHermit · #23 06/25/12, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum Belly

"Give me liberty or give me death."
Patrick Henry

TNHermit · #24 06/25/12, 11:50 AM

TNHermit · #25 06/25/12, 11:51 AM

TNHermit · #26 06/25/12, 11:53 AM

I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being.

I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.

– Benjamin Franklin, "Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion In Two Parts," Philadelphia, November 20, 1728

Quotes of the USA's Founding Forefathers - General Chat

TNHermit · #27 06/25/12, 11:55 AM

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their Fathers conquered - Thomas Jefferson

Quotes of the USA's Founding Forefathers - General Chat

TNHermit · #28 06/25/12, 11:56 AM

Thomas Jefferson, On the Size of Government, To William Ludlow, September 6, 1824
· 48 Comments

I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. I believe it might be much simplified to the relief of those who maintain it.

Your experiment seems to have this in view.

A society of seventy families, the number you name, may very possibly be governed as a single family, subsisting on their common industry, and holding all things in common.

Some regulators of the family you still must have, and it remains to be seen at what period of your increasing population your simple regulations will cease to be sufficient to preserve order, peace, and justice.

The experiment is interesting; I shall not live to see its issue, but I wish it success equal to your hopes, and to yourself and society prosperity and happiness.

emdeengee · #29 06/25/12, 12:06 PM

Interesting. So many anti-God and religion quotes and so many pro-God and religion quotes out of the same mouths. Sadly this just proves that modern politicians are not the only flip-floppers who used everything to prove OR disprove their opinon or position - which ever was expedient. So in over 200 years nothing has changed. The hypocrisy is quite amusing.

One of my favourite quotes (not a founder)

The past is to be respected and acknowledged, but not worshipped; it is our future in which we will find our greatness.” Trudeau

TNHermit · #30 06/25/12, 12:14 PM

A little off timeline but I hope appropriate

Quotes of the USA's Founding Forefathers - General Chat

TNHermit · #31 06/25/12, 12:15 PM

vicker · #32 06/25/12, 12:16 PM

I think that almost to the man our forefathers believed in a God Almighty and the higher calling of man. They had a problem with religion, and rightly so.

TNHermit · #33 06/25/12, 12:20 PM

TNHermit · #34 06/25/12, 12:23 PM

“If an American is to amount to anything he must rely upon himself, and not upon the State; he must take pride in his own work, instead of sitting idle to envy the luck of others. He must face life with resolute courage, win victory if he can, and accept defeat if he must, without seeking to place on his fellow man a responsibility which is not theirs.”

-- Theodore Roosevelt
— with Jesse Harvey.

Quotes of the USA's Founding Forefathers - General Chat

TNHermit · #35 06/25/12, 12:25 PM

TNHermit · #36 06/25/12, 12:26 PM

TNHermit · #37 06/25/12, 12:28 PM

If the People should grant their Suffrages to Men, only because they conceive them to have been Friends to the Country, without Regard to the necessary Qualifications for the Places they are to fill, the Administration of Government will become a mere Farce, and our pub-lick Affairs will never be put on the Footing of solid Security. We should inquire into the Tempers of Men, in order to form a Judgment in what Manner the publick Trusts to be reposed in them will be executed.

– Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, October 24, 1780; Writings 4:126

TNHermit · #38 06/25/12, 12:28 PM

When we formerly had weak and wicked Governors & Magistrates, it was our Misfortune; but for the future, while we enjoy and exercise the inestimable Right of chusing them ourselves, it will be our Disgrace.

I hope our Countrymen will always keep a watchful Eye over the publick Conduct of those whom they exalt to Power, making at the same time every just Allowance for the Imperfections of human Nature; and I pray God we may never see Men filling the sacred Seats of Government, who are either wanting in adequate Abilities, or influencd by any Views Motives or Feelings seperate from the publick Welfare.

– Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, October 24, 1780; Writings 4:126

TNHermit · #39 06/25/12, 12:30 PM

TNHermit · #40 06/25/12, 12:32 PM