To those who proposed to build a wall around Sparta, Lycurgus said…

“A wall of men, instead of bricks is best”

“The sun never shined on a cause of greater worth. Tis not the affair of a city, a country, a province, or a kingdom, but of a continent—of at least one eighth part of the habitable globe. Tis not the concern of a day, a year, or an age; posterity are virtually involved in the contest, and will be more or less affected, even to the end of time, by the proceedings now. Now is the seed time of continental union, faith and honor…”

– Thomas Paine, Common Sense 1776