Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
As riches increase and accumulate in few hands . . . the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican standard.
Can any reasonable man be well disposed toward a government which makes war and carnage the only means of supporting itself?
Its objects are CONTRACTS with foreign nations which have the force of law, but derive it from the obligations of good faith.
If the Constitution is adopted (and it was) the Union will be in fact and in theory an association of States or a Confederacy.
Remember civil and religious liberty always go together: if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall of course.
Measures which serve to abridge the free competition of foreign Articles, have a tendency to occasion an enhancement of prices.
War, like most other things, is a science to be acquired and perfected by diligence, by perserverance, by time, and by practice.
Effective resistance to usurpers is possible only provided the citizens understand their rights and are disposed to defend them.
It has been observed, [that for the federal government] to coerce the States is one of the maddest projects that was ever devised.
The propriety of a law, in a constitutional light, must always be determined by the nature of the powers upon which it is founded.
These are not vague inferences . . . but they are solid conclusions drawn from the natural and necessary progress of human affairs.
To model our political system upon speculations of lasting tranquility, is to calculate on the weaker springs of the human character.
In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend.
Necessity, especially in politics, often occasions false hopes, false reasonings, and a system of measures, correspondingly erroneous.
That experience is the parent of wisdom is an adage the truth of which is recognized by the wisest as well as the simplest of mankind.
The laws of Congress are restricted to a certain sphere, and when they depart from this sphere, they are no longer supreme or binding.
What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws.
Americans rouse - be unanimous, be virtuous, be firm, exert your courage, trust in Heaven, and nobly defy the enemies both of God and man!
The Christian Constitutional Society, its object is first: The support of the Christian religion. Second: The support of the United States.
It is the Press which has corrupted our political morals - and it is to the Press we must look for the means of our political regeneration.
In the usual progress of things, the necessities of a nation in every stage of its existence will be found at least equal to its resources.
Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.
We are now forming a republican government. Real liberty is never found in despotism or the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.
A habit of labor in the people is as essential to the health and rigor of their minds and bodies as it is conducive to the welfare of the state.
A treaty cannot be made which alters the Constitution of the country, or which infringes and express exceptions to the power of the Constitution.
CREDIT supposes specific and permanent funds for the punctual payment of interest, with a moral certainty of a final redemption of the principal.
The multitude . . . have not a sufficient stock of reason and knowledge to guide them. . . . It is not safe to trust to the virtue of any people.
Nothing is more natural to men in office, than to look with peculiar deference towards that authority to which they owe their official existence.
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without constraint.
The natural effect of low interest is to increase trade and industry; because undertakings of every kind can be prosecuted with greater advantage.
Happy will it be for ourselves, and most honorable for human nature, if we have wisdom and virtue enough to set so glorious an example to mankind!
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.
The injury which may possibly be done by defeating a few good laws, will be amply compensated by the advantage of preventing a number of bad ones.
No person that has enjoyed the sweets of liberty can be insensible of its infinite value, or can reflect on its reverse without horror and detestation
The great leading objects of the federal government, in which revenue is concerned, are to maintain domestic peace, and provide for the common defense.
In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution.
I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a sinner. I look to Him for mercy; pray for me.
The institution of delegated power implies that there is a portion of virtue and honor among mankind which may be a reasonable foundation of confidence.
Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.
States, like individuals, who observe their engagements, are respected and trusted: while the reverse is the fate of those who pursue an opposite conduct.
Though a wide ocean separates the United States from Europe, yet there are various considerations that warn us against an excess of confidence or security.
To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.
Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates.
To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people, each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.
There is one transcendant advantage belonging to the province of the State governments . . . -I mean the ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice.
If we are in earnest about giving the Union energy and duration we must abandon the vain project of legislating upon the States in their collective capacities.
The truth is, after all the declamations we have heard, that the Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS.
It is presumable that no country will be able to borrow of foreigners upon better terms than the United States, because none can, perhaps, afford so good security.
[T]hough individual oppression may now and then proceed fro the courts of justice, the general liberty of the people can never be endangered from that quarter . . .
Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. To be more safe, [nations] at length become willing to run the risk of being less free.