While all other sciences have advanced, that of government is at a standstill - little better understood, little better practiced now than three or four thousand years ago.

The essence of a free government consists in an effectual control of rivalries.

Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society.

Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak.

Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.

The happiness of society is the end of government.

When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.

Here is everything which can lay hold of the eye, ear and imagination - everything which can charm and bewitch the simple and ignorant. I wonder how Luther ever broke the spell.

My country has contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.

Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.