Friday, November 28, 2008

Just a few Quotes from the Founders

I have a certain affinity for the Founding Fathers. I see them as extraordinary people with wonderful minds. I also accept that they are people and have their flaws. And who among us does not have their flaws? Also discounting a persons entire life due to their follies is a way of avoiding having to actually consider their accomplishments. So without further delay...

"Those who are willing to sacrifice their basic liberties to assure their security deserve neither."- Benjamin Franklin

"The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object."-
Thomas Jefferson
Reference- First Inaugural Address, 1801

"I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion."- Thomas Jefferson

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the
government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."
Attributed to :: Patrick Henry

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