Founding Fathers Quotes

In God we trust, all others must bring data. – Benjamin Franklin

A well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny. – Thomas Jefferson

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. – George Washington

It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them. – John Adams

The Constitution is the guide which I will never abandon. – George Washington

The freedom to express one’s opinion without fear is the foundation of democracy. – James Madison

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected. – George Washington

There is no substitute for hard work. – John Adams

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. – Benjamin Franklin

Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light. – George Washington

Unity is strength. – John Adams

The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph. – Thomas Paine

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom shall we serve? – Benjamin Franklin

It is the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being. – George Washington

The Constitution should be regarded not merely as a legal document, but as a guide for the people to look up to for inspiration and direction. – James Madison

Founding Fathers Quotes part 2

The people are the only legitimate fountain of power. – Thomas Jefferson

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

We are not a government of the majority; we are a government of the majority who participate. – Thomas Jefferson

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. – Benjamin Franklin

Democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine. – Thomas Jefferson

Promise only what you can deliver, then deliver more than you promise. – Benjamin Franklin

Education is the cornerstone of liberty. – James Madison

The best way to predict the future is to create it. – Peter Drucker (often attributed to the Founding Fathers)

The pursuit of happiness is our right, but we must also accept the responsibility that comes with it. – Thomas Jefferson

The man who does not value himself, cannot value anything or anyone. – Ayn Rand (not a founding father, but influenced by their ideas)

If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. – George Washington

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government. – Patrick Henry

A nation is morally strong when its citizens are morally strong. – Harry S. Truman

The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon. – George Washington

Liberty is the great parent of science and of virtue; and a nation will be great in both in proportion as it is free. – Thomas Jefferson

The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty. – James Madison

The right to protect ourselves and our property is the first law of nature. – Thomas Jefferson

The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. – Thomas Jefferson

If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. – James Madison

Experience is the oracle of truth. – George Washington

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy. – George Washington

I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country. – George Washington

If we hope for a fair and stable peace, it must be founded on justice and righteousness. – Benjamin Franklin

Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. – George Washington

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. – Second Amendment to the United States Constitution

I am for doing good to the poor, but not at the expense of the rich. – Benjamin Franklin

It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing than to believe what is wrong. – Thomas Jefferson

The eyes of the world are upon you. – General Dwight D. Eisenhower (quoting George Washington)

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. – Declaration of Independence

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. – Thomas Jefferson