I begin with the principle that all men are bores. Surely no one will prove himself so great a bore as to contradict me in this.

The principles that made this nation a great and powerful leader of the world have not lost their meaning. They never will. We know we can bring this country back. I'm Mitt Romney. I believe in America. And I'm running for president of the United States.

In this outward and physical ceremony we attest once again to the inner and spiritual strength of our Nation. As my high school teacher Miss Julia Coleman used to say: 'We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.'

In the book I define conservatism as I believe it is fit upon four categories of principle: respect for The Constitution respect for life less government and personal responsibility.

Government itself is founded upon the great doctrine of the consent of the governed and has its cornerstone in the memorable principle that men are endowed with inalienable rights.

I think that if we get back to some basic fundamental principles we can make sure that we resolve the issues. And I think that that's what the Tea Party was all about. It's getting back to a constitutional conservative government. And that is limited but it's also effective and efficient. I think that that's what we'll be able to do.

Power without principle is barren but principle without power is futile. This is a party of government and I will lead it as a party of government.

At a time of such hope and optimism in the Middle East we cannot let the Libyan government violate every principle of international law and human rights with impunity.

Concerns about the size and role of government are what seem to leave reformers stammering and speechless in town-hall meetings. The right wants to have a debate over fundamental principles elected Democrats seem incapable of giving it to them.

There's never been a nation like the United States ever. It begins with the principles of our founding documents principles that recognize that our rights come from God not from our government.

But America was founded on the principle that every person has God-given rights. That power belongs to the people. That government exists to protect our rights and serve our interests.That we shouldn't be trapped in the circumstances of our birth. That we should be free to go as far as our talents and work can take us.

Every form of government tends to perish by excess of its basic principle.

Democracy is not so much a form of government as a set of principles.

I cannot consent that my mortal body shall be laid in a repository prepared for an Emperor or a King my republican feelings and principles forbid it the simplicity of our system of government forbids it.

The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

Our nation is built on the bedrock principle that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.