Sourced and curated.

A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.

Thomas Jefferson

1787

★ 9.1

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Declaration of Independence

1776

★ 8.9

Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.

Thomas Jefferson

Notes on the State of Virginia · 1785

★ 7.8

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Bill of Rights · 1789

★ 7.6

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

Federalist 51 · 1788

★ 7.6

Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

A government of laws, and not of men.

Federalist 10 · 1787

★ 7.5

Essay · Newspaper

1775

★ 7.2

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Bill of Rights · 1789

★ 7.2

I agree with you, that in Politicks the Middle Way is none at all.

1776

★ 7.1

The due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.

George Washington

1789

★ 7.1

The happiness of society is the end of government.

1776

★ 7.1

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

Thomas Jefferson

1787

★ 7.1

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

Federalist 15 · 1787

★ 7.1

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

The Crisis · 1776

★ 7.0

It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force.

Federalist 1 · 1787

★ 7.0

Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.

Federalist 10 · 1787

★ 7.0

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

Federalist 51 · 1788

★ 7.0

Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.

Parties must ever exist in a free country.

Federalist 51 · 1788

★ 7.0

Speech · Political speech

Edmund Burke

On Conciliation with America · 1775

★ 7.0

The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow immediately from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority.

Federalist 22 · 1787

★ 7.0

Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people; commencing demagogues, and ending tyrants.

Federalist 1 · 1787

★ 7.0

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

Every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.

Federalist 47 · 1788

★ 7.0

Speech · Political speech

Edmund Burke

On Conciliation with America · 1775

★ 6.9

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 3.9

Monarchy and succession have laid... The world in blood and ashes.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 3.9

The vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.

Federalist 1 · 1787

★ 3.9

Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.

Federalist 55 · 1788

★ 3.9

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.

Bill of Rights · 1789

★ 3.9

Autobiography and memoir

Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · 1790

★ 3.9

Autobiography and memoir

From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.

Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · 1790

★ 3.9

In Politicks the Middle Way is none at all.

1776

★ 3.8

Wisdom is not the purchase of a day.

The Crisis · 1776

★ 3.8

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.

Federalist 20 · 1787

★ 3.8

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons.

Constitution of the United States

1787

★ 3.8

Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government.

Federalist 70 · 1788

★ 3.8

The interpretation of the laws is the proper and peculiar province of the courts.

Federalist 78 · 1788

★ 3.8

It will not be denied, that power is of an encroaching nature, and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it.

Federalist 48 · 1788

★ 3.8

Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia and Africa have long expelled her. Europe regards her like a stranger, and England hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 3.7

I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy.