Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.

There are matters in the Bible, said to be done by the express commandment of God, that are shocking to humanity and to every idea we have of moral justice.

Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

To say that any people are not fit for freedom, is to make poverty their choice, and to say they had rather be loaded with taxes than not.

Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true.

It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.

Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society.

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.