He who takes nature for his guide, is not easily beaten out of his argument

Taxes were not raised to carry on wars, but that wars were raised to carry on taxes.

Commerce is no other than the traffic of two individuals, multiplied on a scale of number; and, by the same rule that Nature intended the intercourse of two, she intended that of all!

The study of theology, as it stands in Christian churches, is the study of nothing; it is founded on nothing; it rests on no principles; it proceeds by no authorities; it has no data; it can demonstrate nothing; and it admits of no conclusion.

Lay then the axe to the root, and teach governments humanity. It is their sanguinary punishments which corrupt mankind.

But there are times when men have serious thoughts, and it is at such times, when they begin to think, that they begin to doubt the truth of the Christian religion; and well they may, for it is too fanciful and too full of conjecture, inconsistency, improbability and irrationality, to afford consolation to the thoughtful man. His reason revolts against his creed. He sees that none of its articles are proved, or can be proved.

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.