The library wants me to bring The 5000 Year Leap back before I renew it for the 4th time.......and NO, I have not finished reading it YET. But what I have read I’ve enjoyed and I’ve learned a lot too.
FOR EXAMPLE:
- I learned about natural law and the influence great philosophers like Cisero had on the founding founders.
- I learned that before the Revolutionary War the American people feared that perhaps they didn’t have the moral capacity for self government. (In other words the willingness to sacrifice private interest for the good of community.)
- I also learned that the FIRST president of the United States was John Hanson, who served under the Articles of Confederation. But George Washington was the first president under the US Constitution.
- And while I have a rudimentary understanding of the 28 principles discussed in the book, I was not familiar at all with most of the quotes from our founding fathers, and they were truly enlightening!
So I’ve decided to return the book as requested to the St. George City Library and buy a copy of my own for our family library.....it’s that good! (Just not as easy, or as fun, to read as a novel.)
I believe that what our founding fathers achieved was truly a miracle. Because of their faith, wisdom, dedication and divine inspiration, they created a government based on the law of nature, that allowed people to be free from tyranny. I’m so grateful for them, and to them, and vow to be more diligent in protecting and preserving their dream, and my heritage as a citizen.
Below are some of my favorite quotes or notes from the book.
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” - Benjamin Franklin
“I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations... This danger ought to be wisely guarded against .” - James Madison
“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” - Patrick Henry
“The government is best which governs least”- Thomas Jefferson
"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty GOD, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour” - George Washington
And from my notes early on.......could be direct quotes, but I don't know who said them.
The law of Nature, or Nature's God, is eternal in its basic goodness; it is universal in its application. It cannot be altered – repealed – abandoned by legislators or the people – even though they may pretend to do so.
Justice is impossible except under the principles of God's just law.
Looking forward to your comments!
Grandma Mary is working on hers. I'll post them soon.
Our next read is Cotillion by Georgette Hyer.
This one should be a quick and easy read!
Below is a picture taken Memorial Day Weekend at the St. George City Cemetery of Uncle Paul's son Stephen, and Uncle Dick. If you try just a little you will see in them their fathers......walking side by side, telling the stories of our pioneer heritage as they lovingly placed flowers on the graves of those who went before. Those who did their part to honor, protect, and preserve these precious freedoms we so easily take for granted.
