A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.
An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
Every science has for its basis a system of principles as fixed and unalterable as those by which the universe is regulated and governed. Man cannot make principles; he can only discover them.
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to Defender of the Faith, than George the Third.
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.
He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death.
Human nature is not of itself vicious.
I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.