I draw my idea of the form of government from a principle in nature, which no art can overturn, viz. that the more simple any thing is, the less liable it is to be disordered; and the easier repaired when disordered.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.

Beware the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry.

It is an affront to treat falsehood with complaisance.

He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death.

He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third.

... a thirst for power is the natural disease of monarchy.