Humanism or atheism is a wonderful philosophy of life as long as you are big, strong, and between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. But watch out if you are in a lifeboat and there are others who are younger, bigger, or smarter.

The law protects nothing in that very respect, in which it is, at the same time, in the eye of the law, a crime.

Rules of property ought to be generally known, and not to be left upon loose notes, which rather serve to confound principles, than to confirm them.

Uncertain justice by a verdict is much better than certain injustice.

There is no positive law: Many things are bad by that, which otherwise were not.

A dose of poison can do its work but once. A bad book can go on poisoning minds for generations.

It is iniquitous, unjust, and most impolitic to persecute for religion's sake. It is against natural religion, revealed religion, and sound policy.