There are two distinct classes of what are called thoughts: those that we produce in ourselves by reflection and the act of thinking and those that bolt into the mind of their own accord.

... a thirst for power is the natural disease of monarchy.

Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.

What at first was plunder assumed the softer name of revenue.

It requires but a very small glance of thought to perceive, that although laws made in one generation often continue in force through succeeding generations, yet that they continue to derive their force from the consent of the living. A law not repealed continues in force, not because it cannot be repealed, but because it is not repealed; and the non repealing passes for consent.

He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death.

Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself.