The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.

Convinced that the republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind, my prayers & efforts shall be cordially distributed to the support of that we have so happily established. It is indeed an animating thought that, while we are securing the rights of ourselves & our posterity, we are pointing out the way to struggling nations who wish, like us, to emerge from their tyrannies also. Heaven help their struggles, and lead them, as it has done us, triumphantly thro' them.

The only greater [evil] than separation... [is] living under a government of discretion.

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.

Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of the most lovely benevolence; and others again of so much ignorance, so much absurdity, so much untruth, charlatanism, and imposture, as to pronounce it impossible that such contradictions should have proceeded from the same being.

The benefit of even limited monopolies is too doubtful, to be opposed to that of their general suppression.

Above all I hope that the education of the common people will be attended to so they won't forget the basic principles of freedom.