Independence Day is one of the few days when Americans come together to celebrate our country and the continued vision that our Founding Fathers crafted in 1776. But what is that vision? It seems with every passing July 4th, Americans lose even more of a sense of what the original intent of our nation was supposed to be. It's becoming increasingly important to read the Founding Fathers in their own words and to remember the vision that they cast for our nation. Here are our TOP 10 favorite Founding Fathers' quotes to help us remember their original views of government, freedom, and the American vision.
"The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty." —James Madison
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"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." —Benjamin Franklin
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"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light." —George Washington
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"The people are the only legitimate fountain of power." —James Madison
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"I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country." —Thomas Jefferson
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“Human passions unbridled by morality and religion… would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.” —John Adams
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"Those who stand for nothing will fall for everything." —Alexander Hamilton
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“The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse.” —James Madison
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"I fear that in every elected office, members will obtain an influence by noise, not by sense. By meanness, not greatness. By ignorance, not learning. By contracted hearts, not large souls. There must be decency and respect." —John Adams
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“We must go home to be happy, and our home is not in this world. Here we have nothing to do but our duty.” —John Jay
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