1776

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

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

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

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

The happiness of society is the end of government.

1776

★ 7.1

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

The Crisis · 1776

★ 7.0

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

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

Common Sense · 1776

★ 6.4

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

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

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.

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 5.5

Open letter · Political literature

The Forester's Letters · 1776

★ 5.5

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.

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.

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

★ 5.4

Richard Henry Lee

Lee Resolution · 1776

★ 5.1

Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 3.9

There is no art which one government sooner learns of another, than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 3.9

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

All systems, either of preference or of restraint, therefore, being thus completely taken away, the obvious and simple system of natural liberty establishes itself of its own accord. Every man, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free to pursue his own interest his own way, and to bring both his industry and capital into competition with those of any other man, or order of men.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 3.8

People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.

The life of man is of no greater importance to the universe than that of an oyster.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 3.8

Essay

David Hume

1776

★ 3.8

In Politicks the Middle Way is none at all.

1776

★ 3.8

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 3.8

Wisdom is not the purchase of a day.

The Crisis · 1776

★ 3.8

Whenever the offence inspires less horror than the punishment, the rigour of penal law is obliged to give way to the common feelings of mankind.

Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a Freeman contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 3.7

George Washington

1776

★ 3.7

There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by: a good tavern or inn.

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

★ 3.7

So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

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

★ 3.7

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

As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith.

Common Sense · 1776

★ 3.7

In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.

Abigail Adams

1776

★ 3.6

Political literature · Philosophical literature

It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong.

Jeremy Bentham

A Fragment on Government · 1776

★ 3.6

Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."

1776

★ 3.6

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.

1776

★ 3.6

The judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and the executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.

1776

★ 3.6

This long peace, and the uniform government of the Romans, introduced a slow and secret poison into the vitals of the empire. The minds of men were gradually reduced to the same level, the fire of genius was extinguished, and even the military spirit evaporated.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 3.5

The freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.

George Mason

Virginia Bill of Rights · 1776

★ 3.5

Speech · Political speech

Freedom of thought and the right of private judgment, in matters of conscience, driven from every other corner of the earth, direct their course to this happy country as their last asylum.

Samuel Adams

1776

★ 3.5

Government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration.

George Mason

Virginia Bill of Rights · 1776

★ 3.5

Lecture

It is the very same taste which relishes a demonstration in geometry, that is pleased with the resemblance of a picture to an original, and touched with the harmony of music.

Joshua Reynolds

1776

★ 3.5

The chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 2.3

The discipline of colleges and universities is in general contrived, not for the benefit of the students, but for the interest, or more properly speaking, for the ease of the masters.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 2.1

Consumption is the sole end and purpose of production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer.

The Wealth of Nations · 1776

★ 2.1

We would all be idle if we could.

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

★ 2.1

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

1776

★ 2.1

I am very fond of truth, but not at all of martyrdom.

Voltaire

1776

★ 2.1

Their united reigns are possibly the only period of history in which the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 2.0

The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common, quality of human nature.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 2.0

History...is, indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 2.0

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own... The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect-We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 2.0

Speech · Military speech

George Washington

1776

★ 2.0

Whilst you are proclaiming peace and good will to men, emancipating all nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over wives. But you must remember that arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken-and notwithstanding all your wise laws and maxims we have it in our power not only to be free ourselves but to subdue our masters, and without violence throw both your natural and legal authority at our feet.

Abigail Adams

Letter to John Adams, 1776 · 1776

★ 1.9

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord.

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire · 1776

★ 1.9

This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

Horace Walpole

1776

★ 1.9

Speech

The slave trade is contrary to the laws of God and to the rights of men.

David Hartley (the Younger)

1776

★ 1.9

We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?

John Page

1776

★ 1.9