I know not whether taxes are raised to fight wars, or wars are fought in order to raise taxes.

It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error.

What is called a republic, is not any particular form of government ... it is naturally opposed to the word monarchy, which means arbitrary power.

Could the peaceable principle of the Quakers be universally established, arms and the art of war would be wholly extirpated: But we live not in a world of angels...I am thus far a Quaker, that I would gladly agree with all the world to lay aside the use of arms, and settle matters by negotiation: but unless the whole will, the matter ends, and I take up my musket and thank Heaven He has put it in my power.

...the Bible is such a book of lies and contradictions there is no knowing which part to believe or whether any.

The story of Jesus Christ appearing after he was dead is the story of an apparition, such as timid imaginations can always create in vision, and credulity believe. Stories of this kind had been told of the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.