Freedom and not servitude is the cure of anarchy; as religion, and not atheism, is the true remedy of superstition.

Knowledge of those unalterable Relations which Providence has ordained that every thing should bear to every other...To these we should conform in good Earnest; and not think to force Nature, and the whole Order of her System, by a Compliance with our Pride, and Folly, to conform to our artificial Regulations.

The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.

Not men but measures a sort of charm by which many people get loose from every honorable engagement.

Society is indeed a contract. Subordinate contracts for objects of mere occasional interest may be dissolved at pleasure - but the state ought not to be considered as nothing better than a partnership agreement in a trade of pepper and coffee, calico, or tobacco, or some other such low concern, to be taken up for a little temporary interest, and to be dissolved by the fancy of the parties. It is to be looked on with other reverence, because it is not a partnership in things subservient only to the gross animal existence of a temporary and perishable nature.

The parties are the gamesters; but government keeps the table, and is sure to be the winner in the end.

The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.