18th century

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence

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Original Citation

Second Continental Congress. The Declaration of Independence. 1776.

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The National Archives. The Declaration of Independence: A Transcript. 24 July 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

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It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations

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Original Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations. Vol. 1, London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776, bk. 1, ch. 2.

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Current Citation

Smith, Adam. The Wealth of Nations, edited by Edwin Cannan. The Modern Library, bk. 1, ch. 2.

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And with the guts of the last priest
Let's wring the neck of the last king.

Denis Diderot

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Diderot, Denis. Les Eleutheromanes. 1772.

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Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Original Citation

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Du contrat social; ou Principes du droit politique [The Social Contract]. 1762.

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Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. "Of the Social Contract." Of the Social Contract and Other Political Writings. Translated by Quintin Hoare. Penguin, 2012.

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A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.

Thomas Jefferson

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Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Letter From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison," 30 Jan. 1787.

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Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Letter From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 Jan. 1787." Thomas Jefferson: Writings, Autobiography, Notes on the State of Virginia, Public and Private Papers, Addresses, Letters. Library of America, 1984.

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When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Declaration of Independence

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United States Declaration of Independence. 1776, preamble.

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We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare; and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Constitution of the United States

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United States Constitution. Preamble.

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Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never is, but always to be blessed.

Alexander Pope

An Essay on Man

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Original Citation

Pope, Alexander. "An Essay on Man." London: J. Wilford, 1733, ep. 1, l. 95.

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Pope, Alexander. "An Essay on Man." The Major Works, edited by Pat Rogers. Oxford University Press, 2009, ep. 1, l. 95.

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Variety's the very spice of life,
That gives it all its flavour.

William Cowper

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Cowper, William. "The Timepiece." The Task. Joseph Johnson, 1785, bk. 2, I. 606.

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Remember that Time is Money.

Benjamin Franklin

The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion

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Franklin, Benjamin. "Advice to a Young Tradesman." The American Instructor: or Young Man's Best Companion. Philadelphia: George Fisher, 1748.

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Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Advice to a Young Tradesman." Benjamin Franklin: Silence Dogood, The Busy-Body and Early Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

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Rebellion to Tyrants is obedience to God.

Benjamin Franklin

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Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin, [published anonymously]. "Bradshaw's Epitaph." Pennsylvania Evening Post. Philadelphia, 14 Dec. 1775.

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Franklin, Benjamin. "Bradshaw's Epitaph." Benjamin Franklin: Silence Dogood, The Busy-Body and Early Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

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Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.

Thomas Jefferson

Notes on the State of Virginia

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Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Notes on the State of Virginia. Philippe Denis Pierres, 1785, query 18.

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Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Notes on the State of Virginia. Penguin Classics, 1998, query 18.

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A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Bill of Rights

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Original Citation

United States Constitution. Amend. 2.

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The Constitution of the United States. The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence. Written by Delegates of The Constitutional Convention. Racehorse, 2016, amend. 2.

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The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

William Blake

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

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Original Citation

Blake, William. "The Argument." The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. 1793.

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Current Citation

Blake, William. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake. U of California P, 2008.

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Early to Bed and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy and wise.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Franklin, Benjamin. Poor Richard's Almanack. 1735.

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Diligence is the mother of good luck.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

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Franklin, Benjamin. Poor Richard's Almanack. 1736.

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No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.

William Blake

The Marriage of Heaven and Hell

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Original Citation

Blake, William. "The Argument." The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. 1793.

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Current Citation

Blake, William. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake. U of California P, 2008.

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My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.

Thomas Paine

Rights of Man

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Original Citation

Paine, Thomas. The Rights of Man. 1792, pt. 2.

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Current Citation

Paine, Thomas. The Rights of Man. Edited by Henry Collins. Penguin Classics, 1984, pt. 2.

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Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

James Madison

Federalist 10

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Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

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Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

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