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

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

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.

They may be all comprehended under three heads - 1st, Superstition; 2d, Power; 3d, the common interests of society, and the common rights of man.

It is from the power of taxation being in the hands of those who can throw so great a part of it from their own shoulders, that it has raged without a check.

Civil rights are those which appertain to man in right of his being a member of society. Every civil right has for its foundation some natural right pre-existing in the individual, but to the enjoyment of which his individual power is not, in all cases, sufficiently competent. Of this kind are all those which relate to security and protection.

Religion is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.