In celebration of our nation’s birthday—with its vision and grandeur, we offer up some reminders of the greatness of spirit and dignity that inspired the grandest experiment in the history of humankind—self-rule, Democracy.
Long may it reign….and may it return to our shores quickly. Here are some of the inspired words of great American leaders over the course of the republic. Although certainly not a definitive list, these words and concepts have particular relevance today.
“Those who give up essential freedom to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety”
Benjamin Franklin
“All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” Thomas Jefferson
” The only thing we have to fear is fear itself- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“…and so, my fellow Americans, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. John F. Kennedy
” I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.” Thomas Jefferson
…..Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me Liberty, or give me death! Patrick Henry
“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Preamble to the Constitution of the United States
” Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
” The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
Fourth Amendment of the Bill of Rights
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Abraham Lincoln
” With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.”
Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
Happy Birthday America