I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge, unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading.

Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics.

Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice.

Property monopolized or in the possession of a few is a curse to mankind.

Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.

...Cities may be rebuilt, and a People reduced to Poverty, may acquire fresh Property: But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever. When the People once surrendered their share in the Legislature, and their Right of defending the Limitations upon the Government, and of resisting every Encroachment upon them, they can never regain it.

Fear is the foundation of most governments.