The mass of the citizens is the safest depositary of their own rights.

I'd rather have newspapers and no government than government and no newspapers.

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is a solecism, at least in a republican government.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

The commotions that have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me, offer nothing threatening. They are a proof that the people have liberty enough, and I could not wish them less than they have. If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase. 'Malo libertatem periculosam quam quietem servitutem.' Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

Equal rights for all, special privileges for none