A free government is of all others the most energetic.

not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

The people cannot be all, and always well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive.

Question boldly even the existence of God.

Malice will always find bad motives for good actions. - Shall we therefore never do good?

Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.

But every state, says an inquisitor, has established some religion. No two, say I, have established the same. Is this a proof of the infallibility of establishments?