When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon.

No nation ought to be without a debt. A national debt is a national bond; and when it bears no interest, is in no case a grievance.

Everything wonderful in appearance has been ascribed to angels, to devils, or to saints. Everything ancient has some legendary tale annexed to it. The common operations of nature have not escaped their practice of corrupting everything.

Liberty cannot be purchased by a wish.

A world of little cares is continually arising, which busy or affluent life knows nothing of, to open the first door to distress. Hunger is not among the postponable wants; and a day, even a few hours, in such a condition is often the crisis of a life of ruin.

The balance of power is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world not destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside ... Horrid mischief would ensue were one half the world deprived of the use of them ... the weak will become prey to the strong.

When my country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir.