The Philosopher
John Witherspoon
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- Scottish-American
- Schools:
- Scottish common sense realism, Presbyterianism
- Branchs:
- Theology, Moral philosophy, Civic Engagement
- Period:
- Enlightenment
The synopsis
John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, farmer, and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–1794; now Princeton University) became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution of the United States. In 1789 he was convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. As one of the first national leaders of American Presbyterianism, he promoted theological and civic ideas adjacent to John Calvin, John Knox, and Samuel Rutherford, particularly the concept that resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.
The works
Ecclesiastical Characteristics
The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men
Lectures on Moral Philosophy
The quotes
In 'Boomerang,' they didn't have a script at all, they just told me to come up with some stuff.
I'm every father. I'm not only a black father. I'm a white father. I'm a Chinese father. I'm a Mexican father. I'm all fathers that want their sons out of the house and stop eating up all the food. Get a job, please. Stop looking at the TV.
If something is too risque, don't watch it.
The kids of America, please get a damn job. Get out of the house, leave the refrigerator alone. Stop wearing my shoes. Leave my shirts alone, get a job. Spend your own money.
When we did 'Boomerang,' which is one of my favorite scenes, the whole dinner scene was ad-libbed.
There's a real outcry out there for 'The Boondocks.'
I didn't change my voice for 'The Boondocks.'
That's my father's theme. Get up in the morning, 'hello, Dad.' 'Get a job, leave the food alone... Who took my car?' America, you young kids, get a job. All that sagging, the clothes hanging behind, that ain't nothing. Get a job. You want to be somebody, get a job.
When you're poor, an egg sandwich is dinner and you cut your potatoes with a butter knife.
I always tell comics you got to hang with your stand-up.
My father was a preacher so I wouldn't sing at all when he was around, but as soon as he locked the door, 'La la la.'
I'm sick of all these boring cooking shows.
When you're hungry, everything tastes good.
Being on the toilet stool is the grossest thing there is, to me.
I am old-school.
If I hit the lotto, I would be nowhere near the road. But I got bills to pay.