A small compendium of thoughts pertaining to Libertarian philosophy

“However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.”

• George Washington

“Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed, the same desires and passions. Thus, it is an easy matter for him who carefully examines past events to foresee future events in a republic and to apply the remedies employed by the ancients, or, if old remedies cannot be found, to devise new ones based upon the similarity of the events. But since these matters are neglected or not understood by those who read, or, if understood, remain unknown to those who govern, the result is that the same problems always exist in every era.”

• Niccolo Machiavelli

“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” “Our cause is the cause of all mankind…we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.”

• Benjamin Franklin

Any discussion around these quotes is encouraged; I just felt like these quotes were extremely relevant to the times we live in today.