Perpetual Debt

"We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt."

Thomas Jefferson
Letter to Samuel Kercheval; 1816

Honesty is the Best Policy

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy."

George Washington
Farewell Address; 1796

"Honest Man"

"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain...the character of an "Honest Man.""

George Washington
Letter to Hamilton; 1788

The Worth of an Honest Man

"Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in the eyes of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived."

Thomas Paine
"Common Sense" 1776

Bound

Not a Founding Father, but a great man:

"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to
succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand
with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right."

Abraham Lincoln

Freemen

"The hour is fast approaching on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend.
"Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty--that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men."

George Washington
General Orders; August 23, 1776

No Greater Cause

"The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth."

Thomas Paine
"Common Sense" 1776

Hold Fast Liberty

"Banish unmanly fear, acquit yourselves like men, and with firm confidence trust the event with that Almighty and benevolent Being who hath commanded you to hold fast the liberty with which he has made you free; and who is able as well as willing to support you in performing his orders."

John Jay
To the General Committee of Tyron County; 1777