Noah Webster Quotes

35 Sourced Quotes

The minds of youth are perpetually led to the history of Greece and Rime or to Great Britain; Boys are constantly repeating the declamations of Demosthenes and Cicero, or debates upon some political question in the British Parliament.

Noah Webster
Language is the expression of ideas, and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas they cannot retain an identity of language.

Noah Webster
Unaffected modesty is the sweetest charm of female excellence, the richest gem in the diadem of her honor.

Noah Webster
The heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.

Noah Webster
In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate-look to his character.

Noah Webster
There is no alternative. Every possible reason that could ever be offered for altering the spelling of words, still exists in full force; and if a gradual reform should not be made in our language, it will proof that we are less under the influence of reason than our ancestors.

Noah Webster
The Virginians have little money and great pride, contempt of Northern men, and great fondness for a dissipated life. They do not understand grammar.

Noah Webster
Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealousy will instantly inspire the inclination, to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive.

Noah Webster
If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded.

Noah Webster
Correcting his wife's language after she had caught him with a chambermaid:
Mrs Webster: Noah, I'm surprised.
Noah Webster: No, my dear. You are amazed. It is we who are surprised.

Noah Webster