If men will permit themselves to think, as rational beings ought to think, nothing can appear more ridiculous and absurd, exclusive of all moral reflections, than to be at the expence of building navies, filling them with men, and then hauling them into the ocean, to try which can sink each other fastester. Peace, which costs nothing, is attended with infintely more advantage than any victory with all its expence. But this, though it best answers the purpose of Nations, does not that of Court Governments, whose habited policy is pretence for taxation, places, and offices.

The Bible: a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalise mankind.

Universal empire is the prerogative of a writer. His concerns are with all mankind, and though he cannot command their obedience,he can assign them their duty. The Republic of Letters is more ancient than monarchy, and of far higher character in the world than the vassal court of Britain.

Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence.

Man did not enter society to be worse off, or to have fewer rights, but rather to have those rights better secured

It is painful to behold a man employing his talents to corrupt himself.

The balance of power is the scale of peace.