22+ Jonathan Mayhew Quotes On Education, Religion And Revolution

Jonathan Mayhew was an American clergyman and influential political thinker during the American Revolution. He was born in 1720 in Massachusetts and graduated from Harvard College in 1744. He is best known for his sermon "Discourse Concerning Unlimited Submission and Non-Resistance to the Higher Powers," which argued for the right of people to resist unjust government. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Jonathan Mayhew on leadership, education, religion.

Top 10 Jonathan Mayhew Quotes

1. People are not usually deprived of their liberties all at once, but gradually, by one encroachment after another, as it is found they are disposed to bear them.
2. Extremes are dangerous.
3. Common tyrants, and public oppressors, are not intitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle.
4. For which reason I would exhort you to pay all due Regard to the government over us; to the KING and all in authority; and to lead a quiet and peaceable life.
5. There are others who aim at popularity under the disguise of patriotism.
6. The only reason of the institution of civil government; and the only rational ground of submission to it, is the common safety and utility.
7. All civil rulers, as such, are the ordinance and ministers of God; and they are all, by the nature of their office, and in their respective spheres and stations, bound to consult the public welfare.
8. Let us all learn to be free, and to be loyal.
9. The apostle enters upon his subject thus - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers; for there is no power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God.
10. Let us prize our freedom; but not use our liberty for a cloak of maliciousness.

Jonathan Mayhew Short Quotes

• It becomes us, therefore, to be contented, and dutiful subjects.
• There are men who strike at liberty under the term licentiousness.
• But let us remember, at the same time, government is sacred, and not to be trifled with.

Jonathan Mayhew Famous Quotes And Sayings

The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to yield subjection to him. From whence it follows that as soon as the prince sets himself above the law, he loses the king in the tyrant. He does, to all intents and purposes, un-king himself. — Jonathan Mayhew

Not to discontinue our allegiance, in this case, would be to join with the sovereign in promoting the slavery and misery of that society, the welfare of which, we ourselves, as well as our sovereign, are indispensably obliged to secure and promote, as far as in us lies. — Jonathan Mayhew

To say that subjects in general are not proper judges (of the law) when their governors oppress them and play the tyrant, and when they defend their rights ...is as great a treason as ever a man uttered. — Jonathan Mayhew

According to this way of arguing, there will be no true principles in the world; for there are none but what may be wrested and perverted to serve bad purposes, either through the weakness or wickedness of men. — Jonathan Mayhew

I now add, farther, that the apostle's argument is so far from proving it to be the duty of people to obey, and submit to, such rulers as act in contradiction to the public good, and so to the design of their office, that it proves the direct contrary. — Jonathan Mayhew

Till people find themselves greatly abused and oppressed by their governors, they are not apt to complain; and whenever they do, in fact, find themselves thus abused and oppressed, they must be stupid not to complain. — Jonathan Mayhew

It is our happiness to live under the government of a PRINCE who is satisfied with ruling according to law; as every other good prince will - We enjoy under his administration all the liberty that is proper and expedient for us. — Jonathan Mayhew

It would be stupid tameness, and unaccountable folly, for whole nations to suffer one unreasonable, ambitious and cruel man, to wanton and riot in their misery. — Jonathan Mayhew

Tyranny brings ignorance and brutality with it. It degrades men from their just rank into the class of brutes; it damps their spirits; it suppresses art; it extinguishes every spark of noble ardor and generosity in the breasts of those who are enslaved by it; it makes naturally strong and great minds feeble and little, and triumphs over the ruins of virtue and humanity. — Jonathan Mayhew

Life Lessons by Jonathan Mayhew

1. Jonathan Mayhew's work emphasizes the importance of religious freedom and the right to dissent from established authority.
2. He argued that citizens should be allowed to question and criticize the government, as long as they do so peacefully and without inciting violence.
3. His work serves as a reminder that individuals should be allowed to express their beliefs and opinions without fear of retribution.