Make no mistake; the American Revolution was not fought to obtain freedom, but to preserve the liberties that Americans already had as colonials. Independence was no conscious goal, secretly nurtured in cellar or jungle by bearded conspirators, but a reluctant… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
America was discovered accidentally by a great seaman who was looking for something else; when discovered it was not wanted; and most of the… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
If the European discovery had been delayed for a century or two, it is possible that the Aztec in Mexico or the Iroquois in… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
But sea power has never led to despotism. The nations that have enjoyed sea power even for a brief period-Athens, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, England, the United States-are those that have preserved freedom for themselves and have given it to others. Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao. — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share
If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile. — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worth while. . . . The beauty and cogency of the preamble, reaching back to remotest antiquity and forward so an indefinite future, have lifted the hearts of millions of men and will continue to do. . . . These words are more revolutionary… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share
A tough but nervous, tenacious but restless race [the Yankees]; materially ambitious, yet prone to introspection, and subject to waves of religious emotion. .… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
Never, in these United States, has the brain of man conceived, or the hand of man fashioned, so perfect a thing as a clipper… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
A few hints as to literary craftsmanship may be useful to budding historians. First and foremost, get writing! — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
Franklin may . . . be considered one of the founding fathers of American democracy, since no democratic government can last long without conciliation and compromise. — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
Military and absolutist regimes are undoubtedly well fitted to get the jump on an unsuspecting or unprepared enemy; but the history of modern warfare… — Samuel Eliot Morison Copy Share Image
![“A tough but nervous, tenacious but restless race [the Yankees]; materially ambitious, yet prone to introspection, and subject to waves of religious emotion. . . . A race whose typical member is eternally torn between a passion for righteousness and a desire to get on in the world.” quote by Samuel Eliot Morison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c02/samuel-eliot-morison-27265_ambitious_a-tough-but-nervous-tenacious-but-restle_714672.jpg)
