The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil. James Monroe More Quotes by James Monroe More Quotes From James Monroe We must support our rights or lose our character, and with it, perhaps, our liberties. James Monroe support rights character It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising the sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and a usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin. Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force. Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties. James Monroe wise exercise mean In a representative republic, the education of our children must be of the utmost importance! James Monroe republic importance children A free, virtuous, and enlightened people must know full well the great principles and causes upon which their happiness depends. James Monroe causes principles people Our country may be likened to a new house. We lack many things, but we possess the most precious of all - liberty! James Monroe liberty house country There is a price tag on human liberty. That price is the willingness to assume the responsibilities of being free men. Payment of this price is a personal matter with each of us. James Monroe price-tag responsibility men The emigrants although of different parties and different religious sects all flew from persecution in pursuit of liberty. James Monroe presidential party religious It is better to spread trust all around than to hand out money! James Monroe spread hands How prone all human institutions have been to decay; how subject the best-formed and most wisely organized governments have been to lose their check and totally dissolve; how difficult it has been for mankind, in all ages and countries, to preserve their dearest rights and best privileges, impelled as it were by an irresistible fate of despotism. James Monroe fate rights country The right of self-defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals. James Monroe presidential gun self The liberty, prosperity, and the happiness of our country will always be the object of my most fervent prayers to the Supreme Author of All Good. James Monroe liberty prayer country The earth was given to mankind to support the greatest number of which it is capable, and no tribe or people have a right to withhold from the wants of others more than is necessary for their own support and comfort. James Monroe support numbers people National honor is national property of the highest value. James Monroe patriotic army life If it was wise, manly, and patriotic for us to establish a free government, it is equally wise to attend to the necessary means of its preservation. James Monroe patriotic wise mean Let us by wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties. James Monroe teaching wise mean Of the liberty of conscience in matters of religious faith, of speech and of the press; of the trial by jury of the vicinage in civil and criminal cases; of the benefit of the writ of habeas corpus; of the right to keep and bear arms.... If these rights are well defined, and secured against encroachment, it is impossible that government should ever degenerate into tyranny. James Monroe government religious rights If America wants concessions, she must fight for them. We must purchase our power with our blood. James Monroe fighting blood america A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue. James Monroe teaching inspiring men While we assert for ourselves a freedom to embrace, to profess, and to observe, the Religion which we believe to be of divine origin, we cannot deny an equal freedom to them whose minds have not yielded to the evidence which has convinced us. James Monroe godly mind believe Peace is the best time for improvement and preparation of every kind; it is in peace that our commerce flourishes most, that taxes are most easily paid, and that the revenue is most productive. James Monroe preparation improvement president