FORGOTTEN WISDOM OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS

Earlier this year I was taking a course with a group of fellow Professors for UCF's online teaching program. Dr. Charles Dziuban, Director of the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Central Florida, was giving us a lecture on the differences in the American generations and how we had to adapt our teaching styles to accommodate the needs of each generation of student. To exemplify this he asked if anyone knew who had said this quote, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." I immediately recognized the quote and knew the author started with "N", I blurted out, "Nathanial Hawthorne." Which was incorrect, "No, it's Nathan Hale" said Dr. Dziuban. He went on to lecture about how in the Depression era generation, this sort of education was mandatory; but now this knowledge is being left behind. Ashamed and sad at not knowing this, I lapsed deep in thought. He was right, we are indeed losing something in our educational system. Due to political correctness and historical revisionism, the wisdom, sacrifice and courage of the Founding Fathers of our great nation is being lost. As penance for my own ignorance (and for great pleasure to my surprise), I've read both 1776 and John Adams both by David McCullough. Both are wonderful historical novels and teach you a bit to boot. For further enlightenment here are my personal favorite Founding Father quotes.

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

An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation.
- John Marshall, McCullough v. Maryland, 1819

Give me liberty or give me death.
- Patrick Henry

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson, Proposal Virginia Constitution

"The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object."
- Thomas Jefferson

"Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy."
- Ben Franklin

"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."
- George Washington

"The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
- Samuel Adams

"Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

"Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
- John Adams

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

"If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained _ we must fight!."
- Patrick Henry

"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed, as they are in almost every country in Europe."
- Noah Webster

"Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God."
- Thomas Jefferson

"[T]he people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them."
- Zacharia Johnson

"There are more instances of the abridgement of freedoms of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."
- James Madison

"Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense? Where is the difference between having our arms in possession and under our direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defense be the real object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?."
- Patrick Henry

"...that standing army can never be formidable (threatening) to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in the use of arms."
- Alexander Hamilton

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks."
- Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."
- Thomas Jefferson

"The right of the people to keep and bear...arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
- James Madison

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."
- Alexander Hamilton

"You have rights antecedent to all earthly governments; rights that cannot be repealed or restrained by human laws; rights derived from the Great Legislator of the Universe."
- John Adams

"When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."
- Thomas Jefferson

Click here many more Founding Father Quotes

Sphere: Related Content