The greatest tyrannies are always perpetrated in the name of the noblest causes.
Suspicion and persecution are weeds of the same dunghill, and flourish best together.
Ignorance is of a peculiar nature; once dispelled, it is impossible to reestablish it. It is not originally a thing of itself, but is only the absence of knowledge; and though man may be kept ignorant, he cannot be made ignorant.
Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins... Society is in every state a blessing, but Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error.
When authors and critics talk of the sublime, they see not how nearly it borders on the ridiculous.
As my object was not myself, I set out with the determination, and happily with the disposition, of not being moved by praise or censure, friendship or calumny, nor of being drawn from my purpose by any personal altercation; and the man who cannot do this, is not fit for a public character.
It is from the power of taxation being in the hands of those who can throw so great a part of it from their own shoulders, that it has raged without a check.
I die in perfect composure and resignation to the will of my Creator, God.
Immediate necessity makes many things convenient, which if continued would grow into oppressions.
“Government,” says Swift, “is a plain thing, and fitted to the capacity of many heads.”
Change of ministers amounts to nothing. One goes out, another comes in, and still the same measures, vices, and extravagances are pursued. It signifies not who is minister. The defect lies in the system. The foundation and superstructure of the government is bad. Prop it as you please, it continually sinks and ever will.
The Almighty implanted in us these inextinguishable feelings for good and wise purposes. They are the guardians of His image in our heart. They distinguish us from the herd of common animals.
EVERY national church or religion has established itself by pretending some special mission from God, communicated to certain individuals. The Jews have their Moses; the Christians their Jesus Christ, their apostles and saints; and the Turks their Mahomet; as if the way to God was not open to every man alike.
Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance.
Oppression is often the consequence, but seldom or never the means of riches.
It is a position not to be controverted, that the earth... was and ever would have continued to be, the COMMON PROPERTY OF THE HUMAN RACE.
A share in two revolutions is living to some purpose.
The Allwise Creator hath been dishonored by being made the author of fable and the human mind degraded by believing it.
The intimacy which is contracted in infancy, and friendship which is formed in misfortune, are, of all others, the most lasting and unalterable.