Founding Wisdom

Verified words of America’s founders and presidents on God, the Bible, and faith in public life. Each quote is checked against its original source before it appears here.

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

George Washington — Farewell Address, 1796

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?

Benjamin Franklin — Speech at the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787 (James Madison’s notes)

Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

John Adams — Regulation for the Militia of Massachusetts, 1798

God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?

Thomas Jefferson — Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785 (Query XVIII)

More verified quotes are added as they are researched — this collection grows week by week.