I am persuaded myself that the good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army. They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves. The people are the only censors of their governors; and even their errors will tend to keep these to the true principles of their institution.

The Greeks by their laws, and the Romans by the spirit of their people, took care to put into the hands of their rulers no such engine of oppression as a standing army. Their system was to make every man a soldier, and oblige him to repair to the standard of his country whenever that was reared. This made them invincible; and the same remedy will make us so.

I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented.

It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.

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

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man.