"Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.
        - Thomas Jefferson

    "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
       - James Madison

    "If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great Security."
       - Samuel Adams
         In a letter to James Warren, February 12, 1779

    "If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes;
    "Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.
    "If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws."
       - Noah Webster

    "Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge."
       - James Wilson
         Of the Study of the Law in the United States, Circa 1790

    "He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of this country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man....The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people."
       - Samuel Adams

    "Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation ... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."
       - James Garfield, 20th President of the United States, 1877

    "The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them."
       - Patrick Henry, American colonial revolutionary

    "The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty - that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men."
       - George Washington, General Orders, August 23, 1776

    "Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important question, on which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves."
       - Joseph Warren, Boston Massacre Oration, March 6, 1775

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."
       - Ronald Regan