Top 101 American Founding Fathers Quotes

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The American Founding Fathers are some of the most influential people in not only American history, but also world history. With that in mind, check out the top 101 American Founding Fathers quotes.

#101 – 90. American Founding Fathers Quotes

101. The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground. Thomas Jefferson

100. Where carcasses are, eagles will gather, And where good laws are, much people flock thither. Benjamin Franklin

99. Every person seems to acknowledge his greatness. He blends together the profound politician with the scholar. William Pierce

98. Free men have arms; slaves do not. William Blackstone

97. What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. Thomas Jefferson

96. Those that can give up essential liberty to gain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

95. Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson

94. ‘Tis done. We have become a nation. Benjamin Rush

93. The best we can hope for concerning the people at large is that they be properly armed. Alexander Hamilton

92. Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Thomas Jefferson

91. Energy and persistence conquer all things. Benjamin Franklin

90. By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin

#89 – 80. American Founding Fathers Quotes

89. Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee. Benjamin Franklin

88. An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation. John Marshall

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

86. I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for few public officials. George Mason

85. The people are the only legitimate fountain of power. James Madison

84. The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people…that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed. Thomas Jefferson

83. Freedom and not servitude is the cure of anarchy; as religion, and not atheism, is the true remedy for superstition. Edmund Burke

82. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. Thomas Paine

81. Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin

80. [T]he people are not to be disarmed of their weapons. They are left in full possession of them. Zacharia Johnson

#79 – 70. American Founding Fathers Quotes

79. Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing. Thomas Jefferson

78. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. Patrick Henry

77. That government is best which governs least. Thomas Jefferson

76. Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country. Noah Webster

75. Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin

74. It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one. George Washington

73. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. Noah Webster

72. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson

71. Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. Thomas Jefferson

70. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. Benjamin Franklin

#69 – 60. American Founding Fathers Quotes

69. Here sir, the people govern. Alexander Hamilton

68. Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you. Thomas Jefferson

67. Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property…Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them. Thomas Paine

66. When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic. Benjamin Franklin

65. Fear is the passion of slaves. Patrick Henry

64. One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them. Thomas Jefferson

63. Law is whatever is boldly asserted and plausibly maintained. Aaron Burr

62. Those who own the country ought to govern it. John Jay

61. An honorable Peace is and always was my first wish! I can take no delight in the effusion of human Blood; but, if this War should continue, I wish to have the most active part in it. John Paul Jones

60. As our president bears no resemblance to a king so we shall see the Senate has no similitude to nobles. First, not being hereditary, their collective knowledge, wisdom, and virtue are not precarious. For by these qualities alone are they to obtain their offices, and they will have none of the peculiar qualities and vices of those men who possess power merely because their father held it before them. Tench Coxe

#59 – 50. American Founding Fathers Quotes

59. Far from being rivals or enemies, religion and law are twin sisters, friends, and mutual assistants. Indeed, these two sciences run into each other. The divine law, as discovered by reason and the moral sense, forms an essential part of both. James Wilson

58. The rights of conscience, of bearing arms, of changing the government, are declared to be inherent in the people. Fisher Ames

57. The militia is our ultimate safety. We can have no security without it. Patrick Henry

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

55. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. Thomas Paine

54. All good men wish the entire abolition of slavery, as soon as it can take place with safety to the public, and for the lasting good of the present wretched race of slaves. The only possible step that could be taken towards it by the convention was to fix a period after which they should not be imported. Oliver Ellsworth

53. No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms… Thomas Jefferson

52. I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. Thomas Jefferson

51. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today. Benjamin Franklin

50. If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. Benjamin Franklin

#49 – 40. American Founding Fathers Quotes

49. A government of laws, and not of men. John Adams

48. Arms in the hands of individual citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defence of the country, the over-throw of tyranny, or in private self-defense. John Adams

47. We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience. George Washington

46. The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money. James Madison

45. To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms, and be taught alike especially when young, how to use them. Richard Henry Lee

44. And it is no less true, that personal security and private property rest entirely upon the wisdom, the stability, and the integrity of the courts of justice. Joseph Story

43. Our unalterable resolution should be to be free. Sam Adams

42. To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. Benjamin Franklin

41. Happily for America, happily, we trust, for the whole human race, we pursued a new and more noble course: We accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society. James Madison

40. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. James Madison

#39 – 30. American Founding Fathers Quotes

39. Learn to think continentally. Alexander Hamilton

38. The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. Thomas Jefferson

37. A people…who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything. George Washington

36. Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin

35. Diligence is the mother of good luck. Benjamin Franklin

34. Peace is the best time for improvement and preparation of every kind; it is in peace that our commerce flourishes most, that taxes are most easily paid, and that the revenue is most productive. James Monroe

33. The purpose of money is to purchase the freedom to pursue that which was useful and interesting. Benjamin Franklin

32. Distrust naturally creates distrust, and by nothing is good will and kind conduct more speedily changed. John Jay

31. Well done is better than well said. Benjamin Franklin

30. In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson

#29 – 20. American Founding Fathers Quotes

29. Those who stand for nothing fall for anything. Alexander Hamilton

28. 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. James Madison

27. If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms – never – never – never! William Pitt

26. Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages. George Washington

25. Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. Benjamin Franklin

24. Whenever you do something, act as if all the world were watching. Thomas Jefferson

23. Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing. Alexander Hamilton

22. A good government implies two things; first, fidelity to the objects of the government; secondly, a knowledge of the means, by which those objects can be best attained. Joseph Story

21. If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done. Thomas Jefferson

20. There never was a good war or a bad peace. Benjamin Franklin

#19 – 10. American Founding Fathers Quotes

19. A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves…and include all men capable of bearing arms. Richard Henry Lee

18. I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it. Thomas Jefferson

17. A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind…Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks. Thomas Jefferson

16. To be good and to do good is all we have to do. John Adams

15. You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve YOUR freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it. John Adams

14. Lost time is never found again. Benjamin Franklin

13. Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. Benjamin Franklin

12. Wear none of thine own chains; but keep free, whilst thou art free. William Penn

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

10. Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Benjamin Franklin

#9 – 1. American Founding Fathers Quotes

9. Our plan is peace forever. Thomas Paine

8. There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy. George Washington

7. Always stand on principle…even if you stand alone. John Adams

6. Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. Benjamin Franklin

5. Eloquence has been defined to be the art of persuasion. If it included persuasion by convincing, Mr. Madison was the most eloquent man I ever heard. Patrick Henry

4. If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. Thomas Paine

3. But the safety of the people of America against dangers from foreign force depends not only on their forbearing to give just causes of war to other nations, but also on their placing and continuing themselves in such a situation as not to invite hostility or insult; for it need not be observed that there are pretended as well as just causes of war. John Jay

2. Any government is free to the people under it where the laws rule and the people are a party to the laws. William Penn

1.It is not by the consolidation or concentration of powers, but by their distribution that good government is effected. Thomas Jefferson

Ideas for the top 101 American Founding Fathers Quotes come from the following sources.^[1]ammo.com – Founding Fathers Quote^[2]Inc. – Red, White, and True 23 Quotes From Our Founding Fathers to Inspire Greatness^[3]Mark’s Quotes – Founding Fathers Quote^[4]Tech.co – 39 Startup Founders Share Their Favorite Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers