The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the right in certain cases to do as we list; and the right we possess to the forbearance or assistance of other men. The first of these a just philosophy will probably induce us universally to explode.

Above all we should not forget, that government is an evil, an usurpation upon the private judgment and individual conscience of mankind.

Our judgment will always suspect those weapons that can be used with equal prospect of success on both sides.

Obey; this may be right; but beware of reverence.... Government is nothing but regulated force; force is its appropriate claim upon your attention. It is the business of individuals to persuade; the tendency of concentrated strength, is only to give consistency and permanence to an influence more compendious than persuasion.

Duty is that mode of action on the part of the individual which constitutes the best possible application of his capacity to the general benefit.

Literature, taken in all its bearings, forms the grand line of demarcation between the human and the animal kingdoms.

The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the right in certain cases to do as we list; and the right we possess to the forbearance or assistance of other men. The first of these a just philosophy will probably induce us universally to explode.