Thomas Paine Quotes

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." - Common Sense, January 10, 1776

"Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness POSITIVELY by uniting our affections, the latter NEGATIVELY by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first a patron, the last a punisher." - Common Sense, January 10, 1776

Source of both quotes: http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/thomas-paine-quotes-1.html

Adam Smith Quote

The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an author-ity which could safely be trusted, not only to no single person, but to no council or senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a many who had folly and presump-tion enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.


The Wealth of Nations, Book IV, Chapter II Source: http://www.adamsmith.org/smith/quotes.htm#jump12

John Adams - The Providence of Heaven

I am surprised at the suddenness as well as the greatness of this revolution... It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies, and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us. The furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling Providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe.

Letter to Abigail Adams (1776-07-03) Source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Adams

Written on the wall of Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta, India

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa. They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way. "The Paradoxical Commandments" were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders.

Source: http://prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm

Thomas Jefferson

The following quotes of Jefferson show how the 'rogues' of our society often create absolute power for themselves through which they drain the voice and freedom of society:

"It should be remembered as an axiom of eternal truth in politics, that whatever power in any government is independent, is absolute also; in theory only at first while the spirit of the people is up, but in practice as fast as that relaxes." --Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 1819. ME 15:213

"I do not believe with the Rochefoucaults and the Montaignes that fourteen out of fifteen men are rogues. I believe a great abatement from that proportion may be made in favor of general honesty. But I have always found that rogues would be uppermost, and I do not know that the proportion is too strong for the higher orders and for those who, rising above the swinish multitude, always contrive to nestle themselves into the places of power and profit. These rogues set out with stealing the people's good opinion, and then steal from them the right of withdrawing it, by contriving laws and associations against the power of the people themselves." --Thomas Jefferson to Mann Page, 1795. ME 9:306

Source of both quotes: http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeffcont.htm

Post your opinion

Confucious Said: To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
Source: http://quotations.about.com/od/stillmorefamouspeople/a/Confucius1.htm

Request: Please share your views about this quote as it relates to the video of the week from Milton Friedman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfdRpyfEmBE and/or the current religious quote of the week.

A New Beginning

I have determined that I will join the blog world by finding and posting some of the greatest and most intelligent pieces of wisdom generated by some of the great and noble ones throughout history.

As I find and post these important quotes, videos, and texts, I would ask for your help as well. At this point I will be editor and will determine what goes on this page, but if it becomes a page viewed by many, I may find other like-minded people to link to on certain of their own specialties. I do not claim to know a great deal on many things but I have inherited a general sense for what is truth, and will post it to the best of my ability.

The intent is that the reader and I will come to know what is most important and will act in a way that we will be influential in causing others to seek out truth from the noble and great ones. All this, to the end that we as people preserve freedom, protect family, and remember that it is to God that we owe all of our intelligence!!!

It is inevitable that those who share these truths will be called upon increasingly to show the fortitude that they possess in acting on behalf of these freedoms.