31 Dec What Did the Founding Fathers Say About Liberty?

Liberty According to America’s Founding Fathers

Liberty is a core value of our country. At Liberty Justice HQ, we believe that principles like liberty must be understood so that they are not violated. Unfortunately, too many Americans today have become comfortable in the way our country is run, forgetting that the many liberties we experience are a true gift. In fact, liberty was one of the primary reasons why our Founding Fathers set out to form a new nation! 

What did the Founding Fathers say about liberty? The Founding Fathers have much to say on the topic of liberty. These men risked everything they had to form a new nation that would ensure liberty and freedom for coming generations. We are fortunate enough to experience these freedoms to this day. One of the most famous quotes regarding liberty comes from Benjamin Franklin and says, “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”

As our nation continues to stray further away from the foundational beliefs that were established by our Founding Fathers, we must work to educate ourselves and others on these important topics. Without an understanding of liberty, and the many ways we experience liberty today, we are not able to properly preserve our nations’ liberty. 

In this post, we will take a look at who our Founding Fathers were and what drove them to set out on a mission to create a country where liberty prospered. We will also share some of the most famous quotes from Founding Fathers on liberty. Finally, we will discuss how we can preserve our nation’s liberty to ensure that future generations will be able to live in a country that values equality, liberty, and justice for all.

Our Nation’s Founding Fathers

Growing up in America, we have all heard stories of our Founding Fathers. A popular topic of every history class, for good reason, we can easily forget the incredible impact these men had on our lives today. Without the bravery, dedication, and determination of our Founding Fathers, the United States of America would not exist as it does today.

Who Were Our Founding Fathers?

There were many influential men (and women) who left a mark on history during the formative years of our country. However, our nation’s Founding Fathers most notably include the following men: 

• George Washington
• Alexander Hamilton
• Benjamin Franklin
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson
• James Madison
• John Hancock
• James Monroe
• Thomas Paine
• Paul Revere
• George Mason
• Patrick Henry
• Samuel Adams

These are just a few of the many individuals who fought for and stood up for the freedom and independence we continue to enjoy today. 

What Did the Founding Fathers Do?

Many, if not all, of our nation’s Founding Fathers, were influential businessmen who, at one point, lived under British rule. However, after their journey to America, they realized they longed for true freedom and independence from the rule of King George III. 

They outlined their grievances in the Declaration of Independence, calling for freedom and equality for this new nation that they called home. This event, which we celebrate each year on Independence Day (July 4), was the beginning of our nation as we know it today.

Following their incredible victory and subsequent independence from Britain, our Founding Fathers set out to create a society in which all men could live freely. This eventually led to the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, two important documents that worked towards providing liberty and equality for all. 

By studying the history of our Founding Fathers and the contributions they made to our nation, we can gain respect for and appreciation of the liberties we continue to experience today.

What Does Liberty Really Mean?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines liberty as “the quality or state of being free; the power to do as one pleases; freedom from physical restraint; freedom from arbitrary or despotic control; the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges; the power of choice.”

This is the type of freedom that our Founding Fathers fought so hard to obtain. Even in the early days of our nation, the Founding Fathers had concerns over the ways in which liberty could be taken away from the citizens of the United States. They often spoke and wrote openly of these concerns, fearing that one day the freedoms they fought so hard to earn would be taken away. In today’s society, we are experiencing the very thing these wise men feared.

Although we are fortunate to experience greater liberty and freedom than any other country in the world, we are seeing our freedoms become fewer. While it may be almost impossible to identify, we must continue to be vigilant lest our liberties cease to exist.

Famous Quotes From Founding Fathers on Liberty

Our Founding Fathers clearly had a lot to say when it comes to the topic of liberty and freedom. Here are a few of the most famous quotes from Founding Fathers on liberty:

• “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” – Benjamin Franklin

• “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” – Patrick Henry

• “You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it.” – John Adams

• “Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.” – John Adams

• “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.” – Samuel Adams

• “We have all one common cause; let it, therefore, be our only contest, who shall most contribute to the security of the liberties of America.” – John Hancock

• “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.” – Benjamin Franklin

• “Our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves.” – Thomas Jefferson

• “There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.” – Alexander Hamilton

• “The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.” – George Washington

• “Liberty is the power to do everything that does not interfere with the rights of others: thus, the exercise of the natural rights of every individual has no limits save those that assure to other members of society the enjoyment of the same rights.” – Thomas Paine

How to Preserve Our Nation’s Liberties

Just as our nation’s Founding Fathers fought to gain the liberties we experience, it is our responsibility to work to preserve these same liberties for future generations. Here are some practical steps for preserving the liberties we are so blessed to experience in America today:

Educate Yourself & Others on Our Nation’s Liberties

By far the most important thing you can do in your quest to preserve our nation’s liberties is to educate yourself. Far too many Americans accept changes and restrictions due to a lack of knowledge surrounding our foundational liberties. We must familiarize ourselves with what our Founding Fathers had to say on the topic. We must also educate ourselves on the practical matters outlined in the Constitution. 

Involving Yourself in Politics

As Americans, we have the privilege of living in a country in which our voice can be heard. We must not take this fact for granted. Many Americans believe that because they lack an interest in politics, they should refrain from participating. This could not be more detrimental to our liberties and freedoms! 

There are many ways to get involved in politics. At the most basic level, we have the right and obligation to participate in elections at the city, state, and national levels. We must educate ourselves on the policies and promises of the candidates. Voting is the best way to ensure that your liberties are preserved through the election of political leaders who will guide our country in the right direction. 

Many Christians have questions regarding political involvement. You can learn more about what the Bible says about voting here. Beyond voting, strong leaders must involve themselves in politics by running for political office. Our nation’s political leaders have the greatest impact on the preservation or degradation of our liberties. 

Should Christians run for political office? This is a common question among religious circles. Because of the tremendous impact that a leader in political office can have on the trajectory of our country, I believe qualified Christians have a calling to serve our country in this way.

In Conclusion

As you can easily see, liberty was a topic that our nation’s Founding Fathers held quite dear. In fact, they risked everything, even their very lives, to attain the freedoms and liberties we continue to experience in our country. The best way to preserve these important liberties is to educate yourself and others. Additionally, we must involve ourselves in politics to ensure that we elect officials who share the same beliefs on preserving these foundational liberties.