Quotes of the Founders

“However weak our country may be, I hope we shall never sacrifice our liberties.”—Alexander Hamilton

“Equal laws protecting equal rights—the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country.”—James Madison

“But a constitution of government once changed from freedom can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”—John Adams

“A spirit of liberty and patriotism animates all degrees and denominations of men.”—James Madison

“For true patriots to be silent, is dangerous.”—Samuel Adams

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”—George Washington

“The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.”—Samuel Adams

“If ever the time should come, when vain & aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.”—Samuel Adams

“There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.”—Alexander Hamilton

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”—Thomas Jefferson

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
-Patrick Henry

Thomas Jefferson“The policy of American government is to leave its citizens free, neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits.”
-Thomas Jefferson

“A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.”
-Thomas Jefferson

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
-Thomas Jefferson