Founding Father

Explore 218 quotes by Founding Fathers

There is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness, between duty and advantage, between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

Virtue

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

Democracy Freedom American experiment

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old, from their native land, and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries and comforts of life.

Thomas Jefferson

Second Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson

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Topic

America and Israel God and America

Speaker

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Second Inaugural Address of Thomas Jefferson Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1805 1800s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1805, Senate Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Our country abounds in the necessaries, the arts, and the comforts of life. A general prosperity is visible in the public countenance.

James Madison

Second Inaugural Address of James Madison

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Topic

Early America American prosperity America

Speaker

James Madison

Source

Second Inaugural Address of James Madison Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1813 1810s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Madison, James. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1813, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

In the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United Government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.

George Washington

First Inaugural Address of George Washington

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Topic

American founding Early America

Speaker

George Washington

Source

First Inaugural Address of George Washington Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugural Address." 30 Apr. 1789, Front balcony, Federal Hall, New York City, NY, USA.

Current Citation

Washington, George. "First Inaugral Address, April 30, 1789." George Washington: Writings, edited by John Rhodehamel. Library of America, 1997.

To secure the public good and private rights against the danger of...faction, and at the same time to preserve the spirit and the form of popular government, is then the great object to which our inquiries are directed.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Topic

Partisan politics American founding

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

The American people have encountered together great dangers and sustained severe trials with success. They constitute one great family with a common interest.

James Monroe

First Inaugural Address of James Monroe

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Topic

Americans

Speaker

James Monroe

Source

First Inaugural Address of James Monroe Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1817 1810s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Monroe, James. "First Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1817, Front steps, Old Brick Capitol, Washington, DC, USA.

The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits, ready on all occasions. For life is a kind of chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effects of prudence or the want of it.

Benjamin Franklin

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Topic

Chess

Author

Benjamin Franklin

Source

The Morals of Chess The Columbian Magazine

Medium

Essay Magazine

Language

English

Time

1786 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "The Morals of Chess." The Columbian Magazine, Dec. 1786.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "The Morals of Chess." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Europe is again unsettled and the prospect of war increasing. Should the flame light up in any quarter, how far it may extend it is impossible to foresee. It is our peculiar felicity to be altogether unconnected with the causes which produce this menacing aspect elsewhere. With every power we are in perfect amity, and it is our interest to remain so if it be practicable on just conditions.

James Monroe

Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe

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Topic

Isolationism American foreign policy

Speaker

James Monroe

Source

Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1821 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Monroe, James. "Second Inaugural Address." 5 Mar. 1821, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

Bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and, on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 84

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Topic

Bill of Rights Constitutional theory

Author

Alexander Hamilton

Source

Federalist 84 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Statement Type

Bad predictions

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 84: Certain General and Miscellaneous Objections to the Constitution Considered and Answered." The Federalist, A Collection of Essays." New York: J. and A. McLean, 1788.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. 84: Absence of Bill of Rights, liberty of press, etc.--Hamilton." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

My Country has in its Wisdom contrived for me, the most insignificant Office that ever the Invention of Man contrived or his Imagination conceived.

John Adams

More information about this quote

Topic

Vice Presidency American politics

Author

John Adams

Source

Letters of John Adams

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1793 1790s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Adams, John. Letter to Abigail Adams. 19 Dec. 1793.

Current Citation

“John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 December 1793,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/04-09-02-0278.

A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.

Alexander Hamilton

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Topic

National debt

Author

Alexander Hamilton

Source

Letters of Alexander Hamilton

Medium

Letter

Statement Type

Prophecies and predictions

Language

English

Time

1781 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. Letter to Robert Morris. 30 Apr. 1781.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "From Alexander Hamilton toRobert Morris, [30 April 1781]." Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-02-02-1167.

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Topic

Property rights Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Among the most formidable of the obstacles which the new Constitution will have to encounter may readily be distinguished the obvious interest of a certain class of men in every State to resist all changes which may hazard a diminution of the power, emolument, and consequence of the offices they hold under the State establishments.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 1

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Topic

Entrenched interests Resistance to change Politics

Author

Alexander Hamilton

Source

Federalist 1 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 1: General Introduction." Independent Journal, 27 Oct. 1787.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. I: Deliberation on a new constitution--Hamilton." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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Topic

Separation of powers Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Little more can reasonably be aimed at, with respect to the people at large, than to have them properly armed and equipped; and in order to see that this be not neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice in the course of a year.

Alexander Hamilton

Federalist 29

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Topic

Militia Gun rights

Author

Alexander Hamilton

Source

Federalist 29 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Hamilton, Alexander [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 29: Concerning the Militia." Daily Advertiser, 10 Jan. 1788.

Current Citation

Hamilton, Alexander. "No. 29: National government must have control of state militia.--Hamilton." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

The progress of our settlements westward, supported as they are by a dense population, has constantly driven them back, with almost the total sacrifice of the lands which they have been compelled to abandon.

James Monroe

Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe

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Topic

US and Native American relations Native Americans

Speaker

James Monroe

Source

Second Inaugural Address of James Monroe Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1821 1820s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Monroe, James. "Second Inaugural Address." 5 Mar. 1821, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.

To render the war short and its success sure, animated and systematic exertions alone are necessary, and the success of our arms now may long preserve our country from the necessity of another resort to them.

James Madison

Second Inaugural Address of James Madison

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Topic

War of 1812

Speaker

James Madison

Source

Second Inaugural Address of James Madison Presidential inaugural address

Medium

Speech

Genre

Political speech

Language

English

Time

1813 1810s 19th century

Authentication Score 2

Citation

Madison, James. "Second Inaugural Address." 4 Mar. 1813, House Chamber, US Capitol Building, Washington, DC, USA.