Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws.

The law, which restrains a man from doing mischief to his fellow citizens, though it diminishes the natural, increases the civil liberty of mankind.

So great moreover is the regard of the law for private property, that it will not authorize the least violation of it; no, not even for the general good of the whole community.

Upon these two foundations, the law of nature and the law of revelation, depend all human laws.

The public good is in nothing more essentially interested, than in the protection of every individual's private rights.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state: but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public: to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press: but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity.

No enactment of man can be considered law unless it conforms to the law of God