Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power.

...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.

There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.

A pen is certainly an excellent instrument to fix a man's attention and to inflame his ambition.

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?

[J]udges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.

[T]he liberty, the unalienable, indefeasible rights of men, the honor and dignity of human nature, the grandeur and glory of the public, and the universal happiness of individuals, were never so skillfully and successfully consulted as in that most excellent monument of human art, the common law of England.