I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials.

All men are by nature born equally free and independent.

The laws of nature are the laws of God, whose authority can be superseded by no power on earth.

We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it.

Who are the militia, if they be not the people, of this country...? I ask who are the militia? They consist now of the whole people, except a few public officers.

Slavery discourages arts and manufacturing ...[and] every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant.

There is a Passion natural to the Mind of man, especially a free Man, which renders him impatient of Restraint.