1776 · Skopia

Showing 67 works across all media from 1776

Political literature

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence

1776

★ 10.0

Economic literature

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 9.9

Political literature

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

Nonfiction · History

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

1776 · 3980 pages

Gibbon follows Rome from its imperial peak to the fall of Constantinople thirteen centuries later, in the finest prose English history possesses. His contempt for Christianity still makes readers laugh.

★ 8.8

Nonfiction · Economics

The Wealth of Nations

1776 · 537 pages

Wealth is not gold in a vault but what a country produces, and specialization multiplies it. Smith begins with ten men making pins and every economic argument since descends from him.

★ 8.2

Nonfiction · Political manifesto

Common Sense (Collected Writings)

1776 · 906 pages

Paine tells the colonists that an island cannot rule a continent and that hereditary kingship is an absurdity. Read aloud in taverns, it turned grievance into independence within months.

★ 7.2

Economic literature

Every individual necessarily labours to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can. He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it... he intends only his own security... and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 7.2

Pamphlet · Political literature

But where says some is the king of America?...In America the law is king.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 7.2

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

1776

★ 7.1

Pamphlet · Political literature

The happiness of society is the end of government.

1776

★ 7.1

Pamphlet · Political literature

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

The Crisis · 1776

★ 7.0

Political literature

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial and article as Freedom should not be highly rated.

The American Crisis · 1776

★ 6.9

A Young Girl Reading

Portrait · Rococo

A Young Girl Reading

Jean Honore Fragonard

1776 · National Gallery of Art, Washington, District of Columbia

For once Fragonard is not being naughty. A girl in yellow reads, and the ruff at her wrist is a few flicks of impasto.

★ 6.9

Pamphlet · Political literature

The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 6.4

Political literature

That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved.

Declaration of Independence

1776

★ 6.1

Political literature

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Declaration of Independence

1776

★ 5.5

Economic literature

With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches; which, in their eye is never so complete as when they appear to possess those decisive marks of opulence which nobody can possess but themselves.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 5.5

Open letter · Political literature

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

The Forester's Letters · 1776

★ 5.5

Pamphlet · Political literature

When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 5.5

No, Sir; to act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive.

James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D · 1776

★ 5.4

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