Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

A government of our own is our natural right

Nothing, they say is more certain than death, and nothing more uncertain than the time of dying

I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes.

To reason with goverments, as they have existed for ages, is to argue with brutes. It is only from the nations themselves that reforms can be expected

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.

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