One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.
— Thomas Paine
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.
What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.
An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot.
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.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.
Those who want to reap the benefits of this great nation must bear the fatigue of supporting it.
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.
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
Persecution is not an original feature in any religion; but it is always the strongly marked feature of all religions established by law.
Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
The whole religious complexion of the modern world is due to the absence from Jerusalem of a lunatic asylum.
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
