Each of those churches shows certain books, which they call revelation, or the Word of God. The Jews say that their Word of God was given by God to Moses face to face; the Christians say, that their Word of God came by divine inspiration; and the Turks say, that their Word of God (the Koran) was brought by an angel from heaven. Each of those churches accuses the other of unbelief; and, for my own part, I disbelieve them all.

Christianity is the strangest religion ever set up, for it committed a murder upon Jesus in order to redeem mankind from the sin of eating an apple.

Government is best which governs least

A government of our own is our natural right

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.

Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.