Quotes from the Founding Fathers

I recently took in the traveling National Archives exhibit on the Bill of Rights on its stop at the Lancaster Historical Society. A fascinating exhibit, highly recommended by the way. While there, I picked up a booklet on the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the other Amendments. I have been perusing the booklet ever since.

I'm particularly struck by a number of quotes regarding the Constitution and its Bill of Rights. At politically divisive times like these, the Founding Fathers' words might remind us of who we Americans are supposed to be. I share them here as food for thought.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. - Benjamin Franklin

We in America do not have government by the majority - we have government by the majority who participate... All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. - Thomas Jefferson

Say whether peace is best preserved by giving energy to the government or information to the people. This last is the most certain and legitimate engine of government. Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. - Thomas Jefferson  

...the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions... There are men in all ages... who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves... - Daniel Webster 

The italics are not mine, the quotes were printed that way in the National Archives
booklet. I do not know how those words were emphasized in the original writings.