Great Freemasons: Simón Bolívar (1783 - 1830)

"A state too expensive in itself, or by virtue of its dependencies, ultimately falls into decay; its free government is transformed into a tyranny; it disregards the principles which it should preserve, and finally degenerates into despotism. The distinguishing characteristic of small republics is stability: the character of large republics is mutability." Simón Bolívar

Great Freemasons: Richard E. Byrd (1888 - 1957)

"The things that mankind has tested and found right make for harmony and progress — or peace; and the things it has found wrong hinder progress and make for discord. The right things lead to rational behavior — such as the substitution of reason for force — and so to freedom. The wrong things lead to brute force and slavery.
But the peace I describe is not passive. It must be won. Real peace comes from struggle that involves such things as effort, discipline, enthusiasm. This is also the way to strength. An inactive peace may lead to sensuality and flabbiness, which are discordant. It is often necessary to fight to lessen discord. This is the paradox." Richard E. Byrd

Henry Clay (1777 - 1852)

"All religions united with government are more or less inimical to liberty. All, separated from government, are compatible with liberty." Henry Clay

Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809)

"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom." Thomas Paine

Patrick Henry (1736 - 1799)

"Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds....Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel." Patrick Henry

Ethan Allen (1738 - 1789)

To suppose that God Almighty has confined his goodness to this world, to the exclusion of all others, is much similar to the idle fancies of some individuals in this world, that they, and those of their communion or faith, are the favorites of heaven exclusively; but these are narrow and bigoted conceptions, which are degrading to a rational nature, and utterly unworthy of God, of whom we should form the most exalted ideas. Ethan Allen

Swami Vivekananda (1863 - 1902)

The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him—that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.
Swami Vivekananda

Thomas Paine (1737 - 1809)

"Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher. Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil." Thomas Paine

Henry Hazlitt (1894 - 1993)

The 'private sector' of the economy is, in fact, the voluntary sector; and the 'public sector' is, in fact, the coercive sector.
Henry Hazlitt

John Murray (1741 - 1815)

"To say to the slave who has not been emancipated 'Do not behave as a slave' is to mock his enslavement. But to say the same to the slave who has been set free is the necessary appeal to put into effect the privileges and rights of his liberation."
— John Murray

William Ewart Gladstone (1809 - 1898)

There should be a sympathy with freedom, a desire to give it scope, founded not upon visionary ideas, but upon the long experience of many generations within the shores of this happy isle, that in freedom you lay the firmest foundations both of loyalty and order; the firmest foundations for the development of individual character; and the best provision for the happiness of the nation at large. William Gladstone

Bill Richardson

Ignorance has always been the weapon of tyrants; enlightenment the salvation of the free.
Bill Richardson

Malcolm Muggeridge (1903 - 1990)

Never forget that only dead fish swim with the stream.
Malcolm Muggeridge

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

George MacDonald (1824 - 1905)

"The best thing you can do for your fellow, next to rousing his conscience, is — not to give him things to think about, but to wake things up that are in him; or say, to make him think things for himself." George MacDonald

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

A man in debt is so far a slave.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity. Benjamin Franklin

Max Stirner (1806 - 1856)

(Caricature by Frederick Engels)

Whoever will be free must make himself free. Freedom is no fairy gift to fall into a man's lap. What is freedom? To have the will to be responsible for one's self. Max Stirner

John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873)

"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant."
John Stuart Mill

Samuel Adams (1722 - 1803)

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Sam Adams