Topic: Uncategorized, Matches 211 quotes.

Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command; for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.

Source: Noah Webster

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Are we not really boxing with shadows in any of our disciplines if we leave out of what we teach a recognition of God in the affairs of men and in the workings of the universe? The real substance which must be expected... lies in bringing into the fabric of our teaching the recognition of God as Creator and Ruler and the recognition of the Light of Christ as that influence which has touched the minds and hearts of great men in all ages as they have sought for truth in the varied fields of their interests.

Source: President Gordon B. Hinckley
BYU 1988-89 Devotional and Fireside Speeches, pp. 47-52.

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A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should to rest on inference.

Source: Thomas Jefferson

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An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among general bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.

Source: Thomas Jefferson

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Government can do something for the people only in proportion as it can do something to the people.

Source: Thomas Jefferson

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Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.

Source: John Adams

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We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debt, as that we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our calling and our creeds...we [will] have no time to think, no means of calling our miss-managers to account but be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow-sufferers. And this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent ...till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery. And the fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression.

Source: Thomas Jefferson

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The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.

Source: James Madison

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I have sworn upon the altar of Almighty God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

Source: Thomas Jefferson

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