Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship.

It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts... For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

The King has degenerated into a tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects' obedience.

The Bible is worth all the other books which have ever been printed.

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugationthe last arguments to which kings resort.

I look on that paper (the Constitution) as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people.

The whole economy of this lower world proves that it is by labor and perseverance only that good is obtained and evil is avoided.