Quotable quotes

[dc dalton]

I was re-reading some of my favorite quotes from our founding fathers and thought I might share some of my favorites that are gun rights related ... some make wonderful signature lines and business card bylines:

Thomas Jefferson

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. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms...disarm only those who are neither inclined or determined to commit crimes. Such laws only make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assassins; they serve to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man

The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it.

Cesare Beccaria, as quoted by Thomas Jefferson's Commonplace book

False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.

John Adams

To suppose arms in the hands of citizens, to be used at individual discretion, except in private self-defense, or by partial orders of towns, countries or districts of a state, is to demolish every constitution, and lay the laws prostrate, so that liberty can be enjoyed by no man; it is a dissolution of the government. The fundamental law of the militia is, that it be created, directed and commanded by the laws, and ever for the support of the laws.

Ben Franklin

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote

George Mason

To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them

When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually...I ask, who are the militia? They consist of now of the whole people, except a few public officers. But I cannot say who will be the militia of the future day. If that paper on the table gets no alteration, the militia of the future day may not consist of all classes, high and low, and rich and poor.

Noah Webster

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in 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. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.

Alexander Hamilton

Little more can be aimed at with respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed and equipped. There is something so far-fetched, and so extravagant in the idea of danger of liberty from the militia that one is at a loss whether to treat it with gravity or raillery (mockery)

Patrick Henry

Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defence? Where is the difference between having our arms in our own possession and under our own direction, and having them under the management of Congress? If our defence be the *real* object of having those arms, in whose hands can they be trusted with more propriety, or equal safety to us, as in our own hands?

Samuel Adams

That the said Constitution shall never be construed to authorize Congress to infringe the just liberty of the press or the rights of conscience; or to prevent the people of the United states who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms

James Madison

The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation...(where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.

That's just a few, add any you may know and enjoy

BUT ... after reading these you really do have to wonder where the HELL the antis get their freaking information!

[625]

"Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"

"Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his."

"I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves."

All Ronald Reagan

[imashooter2]

"Our eyes and hands and feet will give us the same assistance in doing mischief as in doing good; but it would not therefore be better for the world, that all mankind were blind and lame. Arms are not to be laid aside by honest men, because carried by assassins and ruffians; they are to be used the rather for this very reason."
-George Campbell

[ScaredOnce]

'We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard...'

[...]

'Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked, "Why did he want to climb it.?" He said, "Because it is there."

Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail, we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked.

Thank you.'

John F. Kennedy - September 12, 1962 - Rice University

[Agent Smith]

By far my favorite quote:

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin

[ScaredOnce]

By far my favorite quote:

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety" - Benjamin Franklin

I'm trying to find a link or some evidence... But, hasn't it been mentioned that this was not in fact a Benjamin Franklin quote? I thought somewhere I read that while it is commonly attributed to Franklin, that in fact it was found in "Common Sense" or some other Revolutionary periodical.

Does anyone know if that's true? Either way, fantastic quote...

[Agent Smith]

I'm trying to find a link or some evidence... But, hasn't it been mentioned that this was not in fact a Benjamin Franklin quote? I thought somewhere I read that while it is commonly attributed to Franklin, that in fact it was found in "Common Sense" or some other Revolutionary periodical.

Does anyone know if that's true? Either way, fantastic quote...

According to Wikipedia, you would be correct:

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

Often a misquoted phrase commonly attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

The quote is taken from, "A Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania," first published anonymously in London in 1759. The quote is an excerpt from a letter written in 1755 from the Assembly to the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Franklin did publish the edition printed in Philadelphia in 1812, and most likely the original, but denied writing any part of it. The quote however may have originated from Franklin, but was excerpted for the book by the author.

A very similar quote is also sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson. However the website for the Jefferson Library makes it clear that Jefferson was quoting Franklin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Those_w...ential_Liberty

I stand corrected.

[Pector55]

"Tilt steering give more 'head' room"
- found on t-shirt in the gift shop

[ErSwnn]

"There ain't nothin' for nothin' and damn little for a dollar."
My adopted grandmother, she was a wise old bird full of such thoughts.