Paper money is like dram-drinking, it relieves for a moment by deceitful sensation, but gradually diminishes the natural heat, and leaves the body worse than it found it. Were not this the case, and could money be made of paper at pleasure, every sovereign in Europe would be as rich as he pleased. But the truth is, that it is a bubble and the attempt vanity. Nature has provided the proper materials for money: gold and silver, and any attempt of ours to rival her is ridiculous.

Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.

The study of theology, as it stands in the Christian churches, is the study of nothing.

It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies.

...for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire.

Our greatest enemies, the ones we must fight most often, are within.

Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance.