Since natural law was thought to be accessible to the ordinary man, the theory invited each juror to inquire for himself whether a particular rule of law was consonant with principles of higher law. This view is reflected in John Adams' statement that it would be an 'absurdity' for jurors to be required to accept the judge's view of the law, 'against their own opinion, judgment, and conscience.'

Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.

To believe all men honest is folly. To believe none is something worse.

Several country towns, within my observation, have at least a dozen taverns. Here the time, the money, the health and the modesty, of most that are young and of many old, are wasted. Here diseases, vicious habits, bastards and legislators are frequently spawned.

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.

Fear is the foundation of most governments.

God is an essence that we know nothing of. Until this awful blasphemy is got rid of, there never will be any liberal science in the world.