Ezra Taft Benson Quotes

We need a nation of minutemen – citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life, and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.

[The Constitution] will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom...men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution.

As citizens, we all have an obligation to intervene and become involved - it's the citizen who changes things.

Every friend to the liberty of his country is bound to reflect, and step forward to prevent the dreadful consequences which shall result from a government of events.

I am worrying about my country. I feel I have a responsibility as a novelist to do something.

Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another, this country and this world.

I hope no one in any part of this country will sit out any election. It’s about as unpatriotic think that anyone can do.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.

Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.

Responsible citizenship comes from direct participation in the conduct of the government, and imposes equal responsibility upon every citizen. If we could quicken and increase appreciation of this responsibility, and every citizen were made to feel its weight and importance, it would go far toward improving our political and national life.

Constantly bear in mind that not with politicians, not with Presidents, not with office-seekers, but with you, is the question, Shall the Union and shall the liberties of this country be preserved to the latest generations?

The preservation of freedom is in the hands of the people themselves — not of the government.

To me, the democratic system represents man's best and brightest hope of self-fulfillment, of a life rich in promise and free from fear; the one hope, perhaps, for the complete development of the whole man. But I know, and learn more clearly every day, that we cannot keep our system strong and free by neglect, by taking it for granted, by giving it our second-best attention. We must be prepared, like the suitor in The Merchant of Venice - and, I might point out, the successful suitor - to give and hazard all we have.

Two great duties which every citizen of proper age owes the republic: a wise and virtuous exercise of the right of suffrage; and a prompt and brave defense of the country in the hours of danger.

We are not apathetic in this country.

Let eternal vigilance be the price of liberty and integrity of the country hereafter.

I think it's the height of patriotism to continue to exercise your right as a citizen and to hold your government to account. Isn't that what the very essence of democracy is about?

I feel, if I criticize my country, it's not because I don't like my country. I love my country. That is my patriotism. I want to make it a better place for my children, for everyone. And if we don't look at what's in front of us, and we allow things to get out of hand because of other vested interests, then as citizens are not doing a good job.

Love of country follows from the exercise of its freedoms, not from pride in its fleets or its armies.

I'm a citizen in a democracy. To call me an activist would be redundant. It's not a spectator sport. If we all become non-participants, it no longer works.

We have to treasure our country, our freedom, the progress we've made, and if we see any of that threatened, we have to respond.

There's no greater service to this country than the defense of its freedom.

Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the nation should go to war.

A true patriot does not confuse government with country. A patriot's loyalty is to his country, and loyalty to country requires holding government accountable.