On this national American holiday, I thought it would be proper to post some quotes from prominent leaders of our past, to remind us of our ultimate mission as leaders:

“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.”

Albert Camus

“Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the world with a right to his own person, which includes the liberty of moving and using it at his own will. This is what is called personal liberty, and is given him by the Author.”

Thomas Jefferson

“You can protect your liberties in this world only by protecting the other man's freedom. You can be free only if I am free.”

Clarence Darrow

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

Abraham Lincoln

"America is rather like life. You can usually find in it what you look for.... It will probably be interesting, and it is sure to be large."

E. M. Forester.

"You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break. It is respect for the dignity of men and women without race, creed, or color. That is our creed."

Harry S. Truman

and finally,...

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and inexcusable traitor, both to yourself and your country, let men label you as they may."

Mark Twain