Daily Quote 4/23-27/2007

Mon. April 23, 2007.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."

--James Madison (Federalist No. 51, 8 February 1788); Reference: Madison, Federalist No. 51.

Tue. 4/24/2007.
"I had always hoped that the younger generation receiving their early impressions after the flame of liberty had been kindled in every breast...would have sympathized with oppression wherever found, and proved their love of liberty beyond their own share of it."

--Thomas Jefferson (letter to Edward Coles, 25 August 1814); Reference: Jefferson: Writings, Peterson ed., Library of America (1344-45).

Wed. 4/25/2007.
"[W]hereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it."

--Federal Farmer (Antifederalist Letter, No.18, 25 January 1778); Reference: The Complete Anti-Federalist, Storing, ed., vol. 2 (342) The Founders Constitution Founders' Documents.

Thu. 4/26/2007.
"The truth is that the want of common education with us is not from our poverty, but from the want of an orderly system. More money is now paid for the education of a part than would be paid for that of the whole if systematically arranged."

--Thomas Jefferson (letter to Joseph Cabell, 28 November 1820); Reference: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Memorial Edition, Lipscomb and Bergh, eds., vol. 15 (291).

Fri. 4/27/2007.
"And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we imagine we no longer need its assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?"

--Benjamin Franklin (Motion for Prayers in the Constitutional Convention, 28 June 1787); Reference: Franklin Collected Works, Lemay, ed., 1138.

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