loves liberty

Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before his eyes that he may cherish in his heart a due attachment to the Union of America and be able to set a due value on the means of preserving it.

James Madison
Federalist No. 41: General View of the Powers Conferred by The Constitution
Jan 19, 1788

I tremble for my country

And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever.

Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18
1781

I love that - "I tremble for my country." Does anyone tremble for our country today, when we see how far we've strayed from our founding principles? And the second part "when I reflect that God is just." What are we doing with the gift of liberty? How do we appreciate it on a daily basis?

To whom much is given, much is expected!
Luke 12:48

essential liberty

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
February 1755