40 Quotes by Mercy Otis Warren

It is necessary for every American, with becoming energy to endeavor to stop the dissemination of principles evidently destructive of the cause for which they have bled. It must be the combined virtue of the rulers and of the people to do this, and to rescue and save their civil and religious rights from the outstretched arm of tyranny, which may appear under any mode or form of government.

The origin of all power is in the people, and they have an incontestable right to check the creatures of their own creation.

No republic ever yet stood on a stable foundation without satisfying the common people.

Our situation is truly delicate & critical. On the one hand we are in need of a strong federal government founded on principles that will support the prosperity & union of the colonies. On the other we have struggled for liberty & made costly sacrifices at her shrine and there are still many among us who revere her name to much to relinquish (beyond a certain medium) the rights of man for the dignity of government.

The rights of the individual should be the primary object of all governments.

A declaration of the independence of America, and the sovereignty of the United STates was drawn by the ingenious and philosophic pen of Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, a delegate from the state of Virginia.

I am more and more convinced, of the propensity in human nature to tyranize over their fellow men...

It may be a mistake, that man, in a state of nature, is more disposed to cruelty than courtesy.

Public emergencies may require the hand of severity to fall heavily on those who are not personally guilty, but compassion prompts, and ever urges to milder methods.