The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

Our nation is built on the bedrock principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Here is my first principle of foreign policy: good government at home.

A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue but moderation in principle is always a vice.

A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example.

There is no principle worth the name if it is not wholly good.

Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.

The virtues like the Muses are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast.

Nature is my manifestation of God. I go to nature every day for inspiration in the day's work. I follow in building the principles which nature has used in its domain.