If thinking men would have the courage to think for themselves, and to speak what they think, it would be found they do not differ in religious opinions as much as is supposed.

A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of the society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sin and suffering.

Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.

Whose foot is to be the measure to which ours are all to be cut or stretched?

While prudence will endeavor to avoid this issue of war, bravery will prepare to meet it.

Some other natural rights... [have] not yet entered into any declaration of rights.

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power not longer susceptible of any definition.