Quotations

«How necessary was the care of the Creator in making the moral principle so much a part of our constitution as that no errors reasoning or of speculation might lead us astray from its observance in practice.»

«Most virtues when carried beyond certain bonds degenerate into vices.»

«Our principles are founded on the immovable basis of equal right and reason.»

«Political interest can never be separated in the long run from moral right.»

«The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the pursuit of happiness, is not left to the feeble and sophistical»

«Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.»

«I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.»

«The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg.»

«Most bad government has grown out of too much government.»

«I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing...»