The natural cause of the human mind is certainly from credulity to skepticism.

For themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have they have right to hold.

All men are created equal.

Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality.

We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved,) or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.

Perfection in wisdom, as well as in integrity, is neither required nor expected in these agents (public servants). It belongs not to man. The wise know too well their weaknesses to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.