All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.

If virtue & knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslav'd. This will be their great security.

It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.

[T]he importance of piety and religion; of industry and frugality; of prudence, economy, regularity and an even government; all . . . are essential to the well-being of a family.

It is not unfrequent to hear men declaim loudly upon liberty, who, if we may judge by the whole tenor of their actions, mean nothing else by it but their own liberty, to oppress without control or the restraint of laws all who are poorer or weaker than themselves.

The country shall be independent, and we will be satisfied with nothing short of it.

The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people.