Favorite Founding Father/American Revolutionary Quotes

[Agit8r]

In the state of nature, every man hath an equal right by honest means to acquire property, and to enjoy it; in general, to pursue his own happiness, and none can consistently controul or interrupt him in the pursuit. But, so turbulent are the passions of some, and so selfish the feelings of others, that in such a state, there being no social compact, the weak cannot always be protected from the violence of the strong, nor the honest and unsuspecting from the arts and intrigues of the selfish and cunning. Hence it is easy to conceive, that men, naturally formed for society, were inclined to enter into mutual compact for the better security of their natural rights. In this state of society, the unalienable rights of nature are held sacred:--And each member is entitled to an equal share of all the social rights. No man can of right become possessed of a greater share: If any one usurps it, he so far becomes a tyrant; and when he can obtain sufficient strength, the people will feel the rod of a tyrant. Or, if this exclusive privilege can be supposed to be held in virtue of compact, it argues a very capital defect; and the people, when more enlightened, will alter their compact, and extinguish the very idea. '

--Ibid

 

[Rat in the Hat]

Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.

Benjamin Franklin

 

[Cuyo]

As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.

--George Washington

 

[Rat in the Hat]

"I have not yet begun to fight".

Captain John Paul Jones, Battle of Flamborough Head, 1779.

 

[Agit8r]

"It has been said too that our governments both federal and particular want energy... This is true, and it is an inconvenience. On the other hand that energy which absolute governments derive from an armed force, which is the effect of the bayonet constantly held at the breast of every citizen, and which resembles very much the stillness of the grave, must be admitted also to have it's inconveniences"

--Thomas Jefferson, 'Answer to Demeunier's Queries' (January, 24, 1786)

 

[Agit8r]

"The extremity of the evil must be in the case before us, where the absolute necessaries depend on the caprices of fancy and the caprice of a single fancy directs the fashion of the community. Here the dependence sinks to the lowest point of servility... Can any despotism be more cruel than a situation in which the existence of thousands depends on one will, and that will on the most slight and fickle of all motives, a mere whim of the imagination.""

-- James Madison, from Fashion National Gazette, 1792

 

[bag]

"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"

-- Thomas Jeffrson; letter to James Madison (October 28, 178)

/outdated/, gee, maybe we've evolved a might more than that

 

[Agit8r]

"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"

-- Thomas Jeffrson; letter to James Madison (October 28, 178)

/outdated/, gee, maybe we've evolved a might more than that

What is wrong with wanting there to be more parity in the division of property?

 

[westwall]

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men 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.
Thomas Jefferson

 

[westwall]

"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"

-- Thomas Jeffrson; letter to James Madison (October 28, 178)

/outdated/, gee, maybe we've evolved a might more than that

What is wrong with wanting there to be more parity in the division of property?

The fundamental problem is when one group doesn't work and one group does. The workers get real tired of having the fruits of their labor stolen from them and given to someone who chooses not to work. Eventually the workers stop and then you have a real problem on your hand. Don't you.

 

[westwall]

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.
Thomas Jefferson

 

[Agit8r]

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men 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.
Thomas Jefferson

wise and frugal government + your avatar = incongruity

 

[Agit8r]

/outdated/, gee, maybe we've evolved a might more than that

What is wrong with wanting there to be more parity in the division of property?

The fundamental problem is when one group doesn't work and one group does. The workers get real tired of having the fruits of their labor stolen from them and given to someone who chooses not to work. Eventually the workers stop and then you have a real problem on your hand. Don't you.

yes. taking the fruits of labor and giving it to Lockheed Martin executives is indeed shameful

 

[westwall]

Where liberty is, there is my country.
Benjamin Franklin

 

[westwall]

What is wrong with wanting there to be more parity in the division of property?

The fundamental problem is when one group doesn't work and one group does. The workers get real tired of having the fruits of their labor stolen from them and given to someone who chooses not to work. Eventually the workers stop and then you have a real problem on your hand. Don't you.

yes. taking the fruits of labor and giving it to Lockheed Martin executives is indeed shameful

It certainly would be if they did nothing for it.

 

[westwall]

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men 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.
Thomas Jefferson

wise and frugal government + your avatar = incongruity

Not at all. A nation has many options as regards defence. Spend a lot to maintain a watch on ones potential foes, or ignore the world and pay the price when war comes in specie and more importantly blood. The SR-71 saved more lives than we will ever know.

 

[Agit8r]

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men 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.
Thomas Jefferson

wise and frugal government + your avatar = incongruity

Not at all. A nation has many options as regards defence. Spend a lot to maintain a watch on ones potential foes, or ignore the world and pay the price when war comes in specie and more importantly blood. The SR-71 saved more lives than we will ever know.

if you say so... they don't still use them though, right? i mean we have satellites...

 

[westwall]

wise and frugal government + your avatar = incongruity

Not at all. A nation has many options as regards defence. Spend a lot to maintain a watch on ones potential foes, or ignore the world and pay the price when war comes in specie and more importantly blood. The SR-71 saved more lives than we will ever know.

if you say so... they don't still use them though, right? i mean we have satellites...

Yes, when the Soviet Union collapsed the Sr-71 was deemed to expensive to operate. Sad too as the aircraft would have been very useful in a couple of instances over the last few years. And yes we have satellites but they are in very easilly determined orbits so potential bad guys can hide when they need to. Plus there is no real time recon capability for most of them.

 

[QUENTIN]

There are many great ones, but I've always liked these two and they seem very relevant given the kangaroo courts established for detainees, indefinite detention without trial, and now lawless assassination:

An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

Trial by jury is the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.

 

[Agit8r]

There are many great ones, but I've always liked these two and they seem very relevant given the kangaroo courts established for detainees, indefinite detention without trial, and now lawless assassination:

An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.

Trial by jury is the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.

Nice