Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.

Civil officials have no business meddling in private religious affairs.

We ought not to schismatize on either men or measures. Principles alone can justify that.

A little rebellion now and then... is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government.

Shake off all the fears and servile prejudices under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear... Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable not for the rightness but uprightness of the decision.

Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.

Men as well as rivers grow crooked by following the path of least resistance.