It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.

I fear not, I see not reason for fear. In the end we will be the victors. For though at times the flame of liberty may cease to shine, the ember will never expire.

"What is it the Bible teaches us? - rapine, cruelty, and murder. What is it the Testament teaches us? - to believe that the Almighty committed debauchery with a woman engaged to be married, and the belief of this debauchery is called faith.

When my country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears, it was time to stir. It was time for every man to stir.

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security.

When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

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.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil in its worst state, an intolerable one.

It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government.

Human nature is not of itself vicious.

Whenever we read the obscene stories, the voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and torturous executions, the unrelenting vindictiveness, with which more than half the bible is filled, it would seem more consistent that we called it the word of a demon than the Word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind.

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.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap we esteem too little it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

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.

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only that gives everything its value.

Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man.

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

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.

Better fare hard with good men than feast it with bad.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

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.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly... it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated.

Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

Whenever we read the obscene stories, voluptuous debaucheries, the cruel and tortous executions, the unrelenting vindictivenes, with which more than half the Bible is filled, it would be more consistant that we called it the word of a Demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind, and, for my part, I sincerly detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.