American Founding Fathers Quotes

We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people… it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst.

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.

I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country.

All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.

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

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity

Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can exist apart from religious principle.

It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.

I have examined all religions, and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world.

I have sworn upon the altar of god.

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor – over each other.

I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved – the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!

But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?

The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.

The question before the human race is, whether the God of nature shall govern the world by his own laws, or whether priests and kings shall rule it by fictitious miracles?