Daily Quote 3/12-16/2007

Monday, March 12, 2007.
"Since private and publick Vices, are in Reality, though not always apparently, so nearly connected, of how much Importance, how necessary is it, that the utmost Pains be taken by the Publick, to have the Principles of Virtue early inculcated on the Minds even of children, and the moral Sense kept alive, and that the wise institutions of our Ancestors for these great Purposes be encouraged by the Government. For no people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily subdued, when knowledge is diffusd and Virtue is preservd. On the Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauchd in their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid of foreign Invaders."

--Samuel Adams (letter to James Warren, 4 November 1775); Reference: Our Sacred Honor, Bennett, 261.

Tue, 3/13/2007.
"Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at last."

--George Washington (letter to Marquis de Lafayette, 25 July 1785); Reference: George Washington: A Collection, W.B. Allen, ed. (306).

Wed, 3/14/2007.
"Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness."

--James Wilson (Of the Study of the Law in the United States, Circa 1790); Reference: The Works of James Wilson, Andrews, ed., vol. 1 (7).

Thursday, 3/15/2007.
"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. St. Monday and St. Tuesday, will soon cease to be holidays. Six days shalt thou labor, though one of the old commandments long treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a respectable precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing all your estates among them."

--Benjamin Franklin (letter to Collinson, 9 May 1753); Reference: Vindicating the Founders, West, 145.

Friday, 3/16/2007.
"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. 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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it."

--Patrick Henry (speech in the Virginia Convention, 23 March 1775); Reference: resp. quoted

"He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force."

--Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson to Bancroft, 26 January 1788); Reference: Vindicating the Fathers, p 26.

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