[T]he <small>LIBERTY</small> we are blessed with. There is no country where this is enjoyed in such extent and perfection. The greatest part of the rest of mankind are slaves. ... While other nations groan under slavery, we rejoyce in the possession of liberty and independency. Our rights and properties are, in general, secured to us beyond the possibility of violation. ... But our religious liberty is the crown of all our national advantages. There are other nations who enjoy civil liberty as well as we, tho' perhaps not so completely. But with respect to religious liberty we are almost singular and unparalleled.

Ah, children of the sunlight and the gaslight, how little you know of the world in which you live!

I come from a country where we are so limited simply by the things we don’t know. And there is so much out there that we are not aware off and which exist for free.

Much learning shows how little mortals know;
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy.

The conception of freedom in our country was one so precious, so hallowed, it has been obtained as the result of such age-long struggles, that I felt convinced that in no other country, whatever advantages in other respects they may have over us—in no other country was freedom treasured and regarded as it was in this country, and in its attainment there was no country in the world that had anything which in all circumstances it could teach us.

How narrow we selfish conceited creatures are in our sympathies! How blind to the rights of all the rest of creation!

I think - I think - I think how little they think what lies so near them.

Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.

It is by the goodness of god that in our country we have those 3 unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.

Every man who has thought, knows not only how little he knows, but how little every other human being knows, and how ignorant, after all, the world must be.

The chief blessings of human nature are the three following:—<small>TRUTH</small>—<small>VIRTUE</small>—and <small>LIBERTY</small>.—These are, therefore, the blessings in the possession of which the interest of our country lies, and to the attainment of which our love of it ought to direct our endeavours. By the diffusion of <small>KNOWLEDGE</small> it must be distinguished from a country of Barbarians: by the practice of religious <small>VIRTUE</small>, it must be distinguished from a country of gamblers, Atheists, and libertines: and by the possession of <small>LIBERTY</small>, it must be distinguished from a country of slaves.

And herein lies the tragedy of the age: not that men are poor, — all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked, — who is good? not that men are ignorant, — what is Truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men.

It may not be true, but it's legendary that if you're like all Americans, you know almost nothing except for your own country. Which makes you probably knowledgeable about one more country than most Canadians.

Let such, such only tread this sacred floor, Who dare to love their country and be poor.