The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -- Thomas Jefferson Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils. -- John Stark Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! -- Patrick Henry They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. -- Benjamin Franklin Where liberty dwells, there is my country. -- Benjamin Franklin I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. -- Nathan Hale "They tell us Sir, that we are weak -- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has placed in our power." -- Patrick Henry The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. -- Thomas Jefferson All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -- Thomas Jefferson Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. -- Thomas Paine If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. -- Thomas Paine 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 free men, 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 Unhappy it is, though, to reflect that a brother's sword has been sheathed in a brother's breast and that the once-happy plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice? -- George Washington If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute. -- Thomas Paine There is not a shadow of right in the general government to intermeddle with religion. Its least interference with it, would be a most flagrant usurpation. I can appeal to my uniform conduct on this subject, that I have warmly supported religious freedom. -- James Madison Courage, then, my countrymen, our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty. -- Samuel Adams Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. -- John Adams Every measure of prudence, therefore, ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States.... I have, throughout my whole life, held the practice of slavery in... abhorrence. -- John Adams I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. -- John Adams __________________ May you and you families all live in freedom.
I agree, its because of freedom we are able to achieve great things in life. Without it, its just putting ideas and thoughts in a cage.