To give liberty to a slave before he understands its value is, perhaps, rather to impose a penalty than to bestow a blessing.

All that I say is, examine, inquire. Look into the nature of things. Search out the grounds of your opinions, the for and against. Know why you believe, understand what you believe, and possess a reason for the faith that is in you.

The sciences have ever been the surest guides to virtue.

I am neither Jew nor Gentile, Mahomedan nor Theist; I am but a member of the human family.

Persecution for opinion is the master vice of society.

Religion may be defined thus: a belief in, and homage rendered to, existences unseen and causes unknown.

Do we exert our own liberties without injury to others - we exert them justly; do we exert them at the expense of others - unjustly. And, in thus doing, we step from the sure platform of liberty upon the uncertain threshold of tyranny.