We fight not to enslave, but to set a country free, and to make room upon the earth for honest men to live in.
Is it more probable that nature should go out of her course or that a man should tell a lie? We have never seen, in our time, nature go out of her course. But we have good reason to believe that millions of lies have been told in the same time. It is therefore at least millions to one that the reporter of a miracle tells a lie.
The age of ignorance commenced with the Christian system.
Mingling religion with politics may be disavowed and reprobated by every inhabitant of America.
But where, says some, is the King of America? I’ll tell you. Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain.
The abilities of man must fall short on one side or the other, like too scanty a blanket when you are abed. If you pull it upon your shoulders, your feet are left bare; if you thrust it down to your feet, your shoulders are uncovered.
Where there are no distinctions there can be no superiority; perfect equality affords no temptation.
The period of debate is closed. Arms, as a last resource, must decide the contest.
I die content, I die for the liberty of my country.
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.
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.