Quotes on American Liberty

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.

A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.

Absolute freedom of the press to discuss public questions is a foundation stone of American liberty.

Restriction of free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us.

These are the times that try men's souls.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

Americans have the right and advantage of being armed - unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people... it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.

It is better to cherish virtue and humanity, by leaving much to free will, even with some loss of the object , than to attempt to make men mere machines and instruments of political benevolence. The world on the whole will gain by a liberty, without which virtue cannot exist.

[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.

No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in the happy hour when the establishment of American Liberty, upon the most firm and solid foundations shall enable us to return to our Private Stations in the bosom of a free, peacefully and happy Country.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.