More Great Quotes:
"But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution."
- John Adams, letter to H. Niles, February 13, 1818
"A little matter will move a party, but it must be something great that moves a nation."
- Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792
"The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard Rush, October 20, 1820
"I have not yet begun to fight!"
- John Paul Jones, response to enemy demand to surrender,
September 23, 1779
"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing. And that you may be always doing good, my dear, is the ardent prayer of yours affectionately."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Martha Jefferson, May 5, 1787
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."
- Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776
"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country."
- George Washington, upon fumbling for his glasses before delivering the
Newburgh Address, March 15, 1783
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."
- James Madison, Federalist No. 51, February 8, 1788
"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: that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
- Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."
- Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 1, December 19, 1776
"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
- Benjamin Franklin, Advice to a Young Tradesman, 1748
"The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations."
- George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
- Nathan Hale, before being hanged by the British, September 22, 1776
"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily."
- George Washington, letter to Edmund Randolph, July 31, 1795
"Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy."
- Benjamin Franklin, letter to John Alleyne, August 9, 1768
"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
- Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775
"It is infinitely better to have a few good men than many indifferent ones."
- George Washington, Letter to James McHenry 1798
"Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve."
- Benjamin Franklin, Autobiography, 1771
"Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual - or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country."
- Samuel Adams, in the Boston Gazette, April 16, 1781
"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."
- Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775
"There! His Majesty can now read my name without glasses. And he can double the reward on my head!"
- John Hancock, upon signing the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
"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, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 20, 1776
"Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
- Benjamin Franklin, letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, November 13, 1789
"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
- George Washington, letter to the Legislature of Pennsylvania, September 5, 1789