That man alone loves himself rightly who procures the greatest possible good to himself through the whole of his existence and so pursues pleasure as not to give for it more than it is worth.

Some books we read, tho' few there are that hit the happy point where wisdom joins with wit.

Tis a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.

Grievances cannot be redressed until they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed affronts, and the messengers punished as offenders, who will henceforth send petitions? And who will deliver them? Wise governments encouraged the airing of grievances, even those that were lightly founded Foolish governments did the opposite - to their peril. Where complaining is a crime, hope becomes despair.

People are best convinced by things they themselves discover.

whatever you become be good at it

The expenses required to prevent a war are much lighter than those that will, if not prevented, be absolutely necessary to maintain it.