Adams, Abigail Arbitrary Power Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard--very liable to be broken. May 7, 1776 letter to John Adams
Adams, John Happiness All sober enquiries after truth, ancient and modern, Pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity consists in virtue. Confucius, Zoroaster, Socrates, Mahomet, not to mention authorities really sacred, have agreed in this. CHAPTER 4 Document 5 Thoughts on Government, April 1776 Papers 4:86--93
Adams, John American Revolution This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution. To H. Niles February 13, 1818
Adams, John Happiness The form of government which communicates ease, comfort, security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest number of persons, and in the greatest degree, is the best." CHAPTER 4 Document 5 Thoughts on Government, April 1776 Papers 4:86-93
Adams, John Liberty 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. Zabdiel Adams, Philadelphia June 21, 1776
Adams, John Public education Public education should provide for the liberal [not merely vocational] education of youth, especially of the lower class of people.
Adams, John Revolutions Revolutions are no trifles; that they ought never to be undertaken rashly; nor without deliberate consideration and sober reflection; nor without a solid, immutable, eternal foundation of justice and humanity; nor without a people possessed of intelligence, fortitude, and integrity sufficient to carry them with steadiness, patience, and perseverance, through all the vicissitudes of fortune, the fiery trials and melancholy disasters they may have to encounter. To H. Niles February 13, 1818
Adams, John Treaty of Tripoli Religion The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion. Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed at Tripoli November 4, 1796 …and at Algiers January 3, 1797. Signed by John Adams, June 10, 1797.
Adams, John Quincy Power Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.
Adams, Samuel Religion In regard to religion, mutual toleration in the different professions thereof is what all good and candid minds in all ages have ever practiced, and both by precept and example inculcated on mankind. Volume 5, Page 60, Document 15, The Rights of the Colonists, 20 Nov 1772, Writings 2:352--53
Aristotle Democracy Democracy arose from men's thinking that if they are equal in any respect, they are equal absolutely.
Bacon, Sir Francis Truth Truth…the daughter of time, not of authority. From Roger Williams and The Creation of the American Soul, by John M. Barry - pp. 222-223.
Burke, Edmund Force The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again: and a nation is not governed, which is perpetually to be conquered.
Carter, Jimmy American Values Our American values are not luxuries but necessities--not the salt in our bread but the bread itself. Our common vision of a free and just society is our greatest source of cohesion at home and strength abroad--greater even than the bounty of our material blessings.
Carter, Jimmy Marijuana Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself; and where they are, they should be changed. Nowhere is this more clear than in the laws against possession of marijuana in private for personal use. Therefore, I support legislation amending Federal law to eliminate all Federal criminal penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marihuana.
Cicero, Marcus Tullius Welfare The welfare of the people is the ultimate law. Marcus Tullius Cicero was born over 2,111 years ago.
Clinton, Bill Taxation George Bush has raised taxes on the people driving pickup trucks and lowered taxes on the people riding in limousines. We can do better. Democratic National Convention, July 16, 1962, 42nd President of the United States (1946 - )
Curran, John Philpot Liberty The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt. (24 July 1750 – 14 October 1817), an Irish orator, politician, wit, lawyer and judge, and a liberal Protestant.
Darrow, Clarence Evolution If today you can take a thing like evolution and make it a crime to teach it in the public school, tomorrow you can make it a crime to teach it in the private schools, and the next year you can make it a crime to teach it to the hustings or in the church. At the next session you may ban books and the newspapers. Soon you may set Catholic against Protestant and Protestant against Protestant, and try to foist your own religion upon the minds of men. If you can do one you can do the other. Ignorance and fanaticism is ever busy and needs feeding. Always it is feeding and gloating for more. Today it is the public school teachers, tomorrow the private. The next day the preachers and the lectures, the magazines, the books, the newspapers. After a while, your honor, it is the setting of man against man and creed against creed until with flying banners and beating drums we are marching backward to the glorious ages of the sixteenth century when bigots lighted fagots to burn the men who dared to bring any intelligence and enlightenment and culture to the human mind. 7/10/1925 - Scopes Monkey Trial
Darrow, Clarence Unions With all their faults, trade-unions have done more for humanity than any other organization of men that ever existed.
Diamond, Milton Diversity Nature loves variety. Unfortunately society hates it.
Disraeli, Benjamin Conservatism Conservatism discards Prescription, shrinks from Principle, disavows Progress; having rejected all respect for antiquity, it offers no redress for the present, and makes no preparation for the future. The New Generation, an 1844 English political novel by Benjamin Disraeli
Disraeli, Benjamin Conservative Government A Conservative Government is an organized hypocrisy. Benjamin Disraeli, speech (1845)
Disraeli, Benjamin Progressive In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable. Benjamin Disraeli, speech (1867)
Disraeli, Benjamin Taxation To tax the community for the advantage of a class is not protection: it is plunder. (1804-1881) Prime Minister of England, British statesman, novelist
Douglas, William Orville Restriction Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us. The One Un-American Act, Speech to the Author's Guild Council in New York, on receiving the 1951 Lauterbach Award December 3, 1952
Douglas, William Orville Second Amendment The Second Amendment reveals a profound principle of American government--the principle of civilian ascendancy over the military. William O. Douglas (1898-1980), U.S. Supreme Court Justice
Einstein, Albert Human Stupidity Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Possibly by Albert Einstein? Frederick S. Perls? Anonymous? A Great Astronomer?
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Weapons Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. Address to American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 16, 1953
Forbes, Malcolm Education The purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one.
Forbes, Malcolm Politics Few businessmen are capable of being in politics, they don't understand the democratic process, they have neither the tolerance or the depth it takes. Democracy isn't a business.
Franklin, Benjamin Faith The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason. Poor Richard's Almanack (1758)
Franklin, Benjamin Liberty Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Franklin's Contributions to the Conference on February 17 (III) Fri, Feb 17, 1775
Franklin, Benjamin Light house The bell ringing for church, we went thither immediately, and with hearts full of gratitude, returned sincere thanks to God for the mercies we had received: were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light house. This appears in a footnote on p. 133 of the 1818 edition of Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Benjamin Franklin.
Friedman, Milton Capitalism History suggests only that capitalism is a necessary condition for political freedom. Clearly it is not a sufficient condition.
Fulbright, J.W. Tribute The citizen who criticizes his country is paying it an implied tribute.
Galbraith, John Kenneth Conservative The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. Interview with Rupert Cornwell Toronto Globe and Mail, July 6, 2002
Galileo, Galilei Religion I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von Free None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free. (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) - a German novelist, dramatist, poet, humanist, scientist, philosopher, and for ten years chief minister of state at Weimar.
Goldwater, Barry Preachers I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in "A," "B," "C" and "D." Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? Barry Goldwater at the Fiesta Bowl Parade in 1983
Goldwater, Barry Christians Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them. Said in November 1994, as quoted in John Dean, Conservatives Without Conscience (2006)
Hamilton, Alexander Artificial persons The laws of alienage cannot apply to an artificial person, because it can have no country; those of descent cannot apply to it, because it can have no heirs; those of escheat are foreign from it, for the same reason; Hamilton's Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States: 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Community Welfare The welfare of the community is the only legitimate end for which money can be raised on the community. Hamilton's Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States: 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Congress Congress can in no case exercise any power not included in those not enumerated in the Constitution. Hamilton's Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States: 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Corporation An incorporation seems to have been regarded as some great independent substantive thing; as a political end of peculiar magnitude and moment; whereas it is truly to be considered as a quality, capacity, or mean to an end. Hamilton's Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States: 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Flax and hemp A strong wish naturally suggests itself, that some method could be devised, of affording a more direct encouragement to the growth both of flax and hemp; such as would be effectual, and at the same time, not attended with too great inconveniences. December 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Government Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint. Federalist Paper No. 15
Hamilton, Alexander Liberal construction Hence, consequently, the necessity and propriety of exercising the authorities intrusted to a government on principles of liberal construction. Hamilton's Opinion as to the Constitutionality of the Bank of the United States: 1791
Hamilton, Alexander Men Men are rather reasoning than reasonable animals for the most part governed by the impulse of passion. Alexander Hamilton, Letter to James A. Bayard, April 16, 1802
Hamilton, Alexander Property Whenever a discretionary power is lodged in any set of men over the property of their neighbors, they will abuse it. Alexander Hamilton, July 4, 1782
Henry, Patrick Liberty Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined. Patrick Henry, 3 J. Elliot, Debates in the Several State Conventions 45, 2d ed. Philadelphia, 1836
Henry, Patrick Liberty 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! Speech at St. John's Church March 23, 1775
Holmes, Sr. Oliver Wendell Mind A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions. One's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. Often attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Hoover, Herbert Idealism Words without actions are the assassins of idealism. Slogan unveiled by the food administrator Hoover on 29 September 1917, reported in the NY Times 1 October 1917, p. 15.
Humphrey, Hubert Liberalism Liberalism, above all, means emancipation--emancipation from one's fears, his inadequacies, from prejudice, from discrimination...from poverty. Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978), U.S. Democratic politician, vice president. Speech, March 29, 1967, New York City
Huxley, Aldous Orthodoxy Orthodoxy is the diehard of the world of thought. It learns not, neither can it forget. Born: July 26, 1984 to November 22, 1963
Huxley, Aldous Prosperity Such prosperity as we have known up to the present is the consequence of rapidly spending the planet's irreplaceable capital. English writer; grandson of Thomas Huxley
Ingersoll, Robert Green Church Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all ages will turn to ashes on the lips of men. Robert Green Bob Ingersoll was a Civil War veteran, American political leader, and orator during the Golden Age of Freethought, noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed The Great Agnostic.
James, Henry Museums In museums and palaces we are alternate radicals and conservatives. Born April 15, 1843 to February 28, 1916
Jefferson, Thomas Arms No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms. This sentence comes from Thomas Jefferson's three drafts of the Virginia Constitution. The text does vary slightly in each draft.
Jefferson, Thomas Association An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry. Letter to John Taylor, Philadelphia, PA, June 04, 1798
Jefferson, Thomas Christianity Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law. The alliance between church and state in England, has ever made their judges accomplices in the frauds of the clergy. Essay 1764 p 541.
Jefferson, Thomas Common good All will, of course, arrange themselves under the will of the law, and unite in common efforts for the common good. Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address 4 Mar 1801
Jefferson, Thomas Corporations I hope we shall take warning from the example and crush in it’s birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country. To George Logan, November 12, 1816
Jefferson, Thomas Created equal We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government. Declaration of Independence, In Congress, July 5, 1776
Jefferson, Thomas Education The tax which will be paid for this purpose [education] is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance. To George Wythe, 1786
Jefferson, Thomas Estate Tax A power to dispose of estates forever is manifestly absurd. The earth and the fullness of it belong to every generation, and the preceding one can have no right to bind it up from posterity. Such extension of property is quite unnatural. Similar to views expressed by Adam Smith, the father of capitalism, and Thomas Paine.
Jefferson, Thomas God Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. Letter to Peter Carr (1787). In Query XVII of Notes on the State of Virginia, he clearly outlines the views which led him to play a leading role in the campaign to separate church and state and which culminated in the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom
Jefferson, Thomas Government Still one thing more, fellow-citizens—a wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities. 1st Inaugural address 1801
Jefferson, Thomas Government The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government. To Maryland Republicans, 1809
Jefferson, Thomas Government The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg...Reason and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against error. Query XVII of Notes on the State of Virginia
Jefferson, Thomas Government The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. To Benjamin Waring, 1801
Jefferson, Thomas Inequality Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise. To James Madison, 28 Oct. 1785 Papers 8:681--82
Jefferson, Thomas Inequality I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable. But the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property, only taking care to let their subdivisions go hand in hand with the natural affections of the human mind. To James Madison 28 Oct. 1785 Papers 8:681--82
Jefferson, Thomas Innovation Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities. Letter of 2 May 1808
Jefferson, Thomas Jesus The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. April 11,1823 letter to John Adams
Jefferson, Thomas Land holders But it is not too soon to provide by every possible means that as few as possible shall be without a little portion of land. The small land holders are the most precious part of a state. To James Madison, 28 Oct. 1785, Papers 8:681--82
Jefferson, Thomas Liberty In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. Letter to Horatio G. Spafford, 17 March 1814
Jefferson, Thomas Liberty The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure. Letter to William Stephens Smith, Paris Aug. 30. 1787
Jefferson, Thomas Religious “Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions, any more than our opinions in physics or geometry. A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom (1779)
Jefferson, Thomas Religious Freedom The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction. A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, 18 June 1779
Jefferson, Thomas Rebellion to tyrants Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. A motto suggested for the Great Seal of the United States, but never used. Jefferson eventually appropriated it for his seal. The ultimate source of the motto is murky, but the best guess of scholars at this point is that Benjamin Franklin probably made it up.
Jefferson, Thomas Separation of church and state Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their Legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Letter to the Danbury Baptists Jan. 1, 1802
Jefferson, Thomas Uncultivated lands Whenever there is in any country, uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. The earth is given as a commonstock for man to labour and live on. To James Madison, 28 Oct 1785, Papers 8:681--82
Johnson, Samuel Patriotism Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. April 7, 1775
Kemeny, John Mathematics The man ignorant of mathematics will be increasingly limited in his grasp of the main forces of civilization. Helped design the world’s first atomic bomb while working on the Manhattan Project
Kennedy, John F. Freedom Today, we need a nation of minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. President Kennedy's Commemorative Message on Roosevelt Day, January 29, 1961
Kennedy, John F. Spiritually This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor. State of the Union Address January 14, 1963
Kennedy, Justice Anthony Speech The First Amendment is often inconvenient. But that is beside the point. Inconvenience does not absolve the government of its obligation to tolerate speech. U.S. Supreme Court INTERNATIONAL SOC. FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS v. LEE, 505 U.S. 672 (1992)
King, Jr., Martin Luther Love I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. Annual Report Delivered at the 11th Convention of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, August 16, Atlanta, GA
King, Jr., Martin Luther Property Property is intended to serve life, and no matter how much we surround it with rights and respect, it has no personal being. It is part of the earth man walks on. It is not man. The Trumpet of Conscience, 1967
Lenin, Vladimir Freedom Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners. Letter to Bracke, May 5, 1875
Lessing, Doris Borrowing Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing. British author. In October 2007 Lessing became the eleventh woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in its 106-year history, and its oldest recipient ever.
Liberty, Kids We the People Liberty's Kids #40 We the People https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ceb1wkSamG4
Lincoln, Abraham Freedom Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under a just God cannot long retain it. Another Letter from Mr. Lincoln - HIS VIEWS OF THE POLITICAL DOCTRINES ADVOCATED BY JEFFERSON, SPRINGFIELD, II, Thursday, April 6,1859
Lincoln, Abraham Know Nothings When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read "all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.” When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty—to Russia, for example, where despotism can be taken pure and without the base alloy of hypocrisy. Letter to Joshua Speed, Springfield, IL, August 24, 1855
Lincoln, Abraham Mercy I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. Speech in Washington D.C., 1865, 16th president of US (1809–1865)
Lincoln, Abraham People This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it. First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861, Washington, D.C.
Lincoln, Abraham Religion When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. And that is my religion. Lincoln said he learned the quote from an old man named Glenn in Indiana whom he had heard speak at a church meeting.
Lincoln, Abraham We the people We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who would pervert the Constitution. September 16-17, 1859 notes for speech in Kansas and Ohio
Lippmann, Walter Corrupt Corrupt, stupid grasping functionaries will make at least as big a muddle of socialism as stupid, selfish and acquisitive employers can make of capitalism. 1889-1974, American Journalist
Lippmann, Walter Republican Party Brains, you know, are suspect in the Republican Party. 1889-1974, An American public intellectual, writer, reporter, and political commentator.
Luce, Clare Booth Censorship Censorship, like charity, should begin at home but, unlike charity, it should end there. US diplomat, dramatist, journalist, & politician (1903 – 1987)
Luther, Martin Justice Justice is a temporary thing that must at last come to an end; but the conscience is eternal and will never die. German Priest and Scholar whose questioning of certain church practices led to the Protestant Reformation. 1483-1546
Mabie, Hamilton Opposition Don't be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against not with the wind. (1846–1916) was an American essayist, editor, critic, and lecturer. Born in Cold Springs, NY
Madison, James Christianity During almost fifteen centuries has the legal establishment of Christianity been on trial. What has been its fruits? More or less, in all places, pride and indolence in the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution. 20 June 1785 Papers 8:298-304, To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia A Memorial and Remonstrance
Madison, James Corporations Incorporated Companies with proper limitations and guards, may in particular cases, be useful; but they are at best a necessary evil only. Monopolies and perpetuities are objects of just abhorrence. The former are unjust to the existing, the latter usurpations on the rights of future generations. 1826 letter to playwright and naval commander J.K. Paulding.
Madison, James Education A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. To W. T. Barry, 4 Aug. 1822, Writings 9:103--9
Madison, James Religious sentiments Union of religious sentiments begets a surprising confidence, and ecclesiastical establishments tend to great ignorance and corruption; all of which facilitate the execution of mischievous projects. Letter to William Bradford, Jr. January 24, 1774
Madison, James Separation of church and state The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the church from the state. Letter to Robert Walsh, Mar. 2, 1819
Marx, Karl Oppressed The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class shall represent and repress them in parliament! Based on his analyzing the experience of the Commune.
Mencken, H. L. Liberty I believe that liberty is the only genuinely valuable thing that men have invented, at least in the field of government, in a thousand years. During the first half of the twentieth century, H. L. Mencken was the most outspoken defender of liberty in America.
Mencken, H. L. Republican In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for. As for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. H. L. Mencken writing in 1949
Mill, John Stuart Conservative What I stated was, that the Conservative Party was, by the law of its constitution, necessarily the stupidest party. Now, I do not retract that assertion; but I did not mean to say that the Conservatives are generally stupid. I meant to say that stupid people are generally Conservative. I believe that is so obviously and universally admitted a principle that I hardly think any gentleman will deny it. (Public and Parliamentary Speeches, 31 May 1866, pp. 85-86.) In Life of John Stuart Mill (1889) by W. L. Courtney, p. 147.
Paine, Thomas Freedom Securing freedom and property to all men, and above all things, the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; with such other matter as is necessary for a charter to contain. Common Sense - Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
Paine, Thomas Freedom Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. Philadelphia, Sept. 12, 1777
Paine, Thomas Landed monopoly The landed monopoly…has produced the greatest evil. It has dispossessed more than half the inhabitants of every nation…and has thereby created a species of poverty and wretchedness that did not exist before. Agrarian Justice
Paine, Thomas Religion All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. Age of Reason
Paine, Thomas Religion As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of every government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith. Common Sense, 10 Jan. 1776 Life 2:162--63
Perkins, William Common Good William Perkins articulated: “A vocation or calling, is a certain kinde of life, ordained and imposed on man by God, for the common good…. The final cause or ende of every calling…[is] For the common good. In mans body there be sundrie parts and members, and every one hath his severall use and office, which it performeth not for it selfe, but for the good of the whole bodie; as the office of the eye, is to see, of the eare to heare, and the foote to goe. Now all societies of men, are bodies…the common-wealth also.” Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul, John M. Barry, Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty. Kindle Edition, p. 123.
Python, Monty Religion Every sperm is sacred, Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted, God gets quite irate. Watch Monty Pyton sing it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUspLVStPbk
Rhode Island General Assembly Freedom Freedom of different consciences, to be protected from enforcements, was the principal ground of our Charter…which freedom we still prize as the greatest happiness that men can possess in this world. March 13, 1658
Roosevelt, Franklin D Conservative A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward. Radio Address to the New York Herald Tribune Forum. October 26, 1939
Roosevelt, Franklin D Living wages No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. Roosevelt's Statement on the National Industrial Recovery Act June 16, 1933
Roosevelt, Franklin D Progress The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. “One Third of a Nation”: FDR’s Second Inaugural Address
Roosevelt, Theodore Wealth We are not attacking the corporations, but endeavoring to do away with any evil in them. State of the Union address (2 December 1902)
Sherman, Roger Religious establishments “Congress has no power to make any religious establishments.” Roger Sherman, in Congress, 19 August 1789
Smith, Adam Society No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. Book 1, Chapter 8 Of the Wages of Labour
Terentius, Afer Publius Wealth How unfair the fate which ordains that those who have the least should be always adding to the treasury of the wealthy. Publius Terentius Afer, better known in English as Terence, was a playwright of the Roman Republic, of North African descent.
Thoreau, Henry David Conscience Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. Civil Disobedience - Part 1 of 3
Twain, Mark Radical The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out, the conservative adopts them. Notebook, 1898
Washington, George Government The very idea of the power and the right of the people to establish Government, presupposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government. Farewell Address September 19, 1796
Washington, George Hemp I also gave the Gardener a few Seed of East India hemp to raise from, enquire for the seed which has been saved, and make the most of it at the proper Season for sowing. To Howell Lewis or William Pearce Philadelphia, January 6, 1794.
Washington, George Knowledge There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness. The First State of the Union Address President George Washington Friday, January 8, 1790
Washington, George Liberty of conscience If I could conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution.
Webster, Daniel Property The freest government cannot long endure when the tendency of the law is to create a rapid accumulation of property in the hands of a few, and to render the masses poor and dependent.
Wiggam, Alfred E. Conservative A conservative is a man who believes that nothing should be done for the first time.
Wilbur, Sandy Presidents Rap - Washington to Obama - Smart Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uxhzO2xab8&list=RD3uxhzO2xab8&index=1
Wilbur, Sandy We the people We the People (Constitution Song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIf7uFAKkJc