Defense of Liberty

"That no man should scruple, or hesitate a moment to use arms in defence of so valuable a blessing [as liberty], on which all the good and evil of life depends, is clearly my opinion. Yet arms...should be the last resort."

George Washington

Against all Hazards

"Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned it and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

John Adams

Knowledge

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be thier own Governors, must arm themselves iwth the power which kn owledge gives."

James Madison

Human Felicity

"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."

Benjamin Franklin

Recipe for Felicity

"A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe for felicity."

Thomas Jefferson

Want of Bread

"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread."

A Bad Cause

"A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad men."

Thomas Paine

Happiness Beyond this Life

"I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life."

Thomas Paine

The Hand of Providence

"The Hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations."

George Washington

Works of Providence

"See the Wonderous works of Providence! The uncertainty of human things!"

George Washington