ruling principle
first principle

I think we have got to start again and go right back to first principles.

The first principle is the individual work of a student.

And I had the same thought that you did, which is start from first principles.

We're going to design a computer with you from first principles.

What those first principles are, in fact, is the heart of the debate.

Who worked out the structure of the language from first principles, then?

I know, but let's not throw away first principles until we have to.

"The first principle is to deny information to the other side."

The first principle, then, of an American policy has to be joint action.

To pull this off, the government should keep in mind some first principles.

One of our most gifted men, but not at home with first principles.

So sort of essentially we've, as you said, started at first principles.

God had no beginning, and is the universal first principle.

My first principle in usage has been, simply, to make the story clear.

He is also said to have considered air and fire as being the first principles of the universe.

To see why, it's helpful to start from first principles.

The first principle is that nothing will be done without the fishermen.

The first principle was that radio should be run as a monopoly.

You mean to say you've had two meetings and have yet to agree on "first principles"?

The first principles of the order were organization, education, and cooperation.

One of the first principles is that training must be based on experiences and identified needs.

Without a belief in God, what are the first principles by which human behavior can be limited?

We accept that as the first principle in the Universe.

Where, in such a rush of sensation, are first principles to be found?

The master class is a pretty useless way to put first principles across.