“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”

There are two distinct classes of men – those who pay taxes and those who receive and live upon taxes.

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

We repose an unwise confidence in any government, or in any men, when we invest them officially with too much, or an unnecessary quantity of, discretionary power.

It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error.

Reason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind. If either of these can be rendered sufficiently extensive in a country, the machinery of Government goes easily on. Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.

A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.

It is always to be taken for granted, that those who oppose an equality of rights never mean the exclusion should take place on themselves.

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

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.

I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of humans; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy.

Every proprietor owes to the community a ground-rent for the land which he holds.

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

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

This is not the end of what you are doing; in fact, its the very beginning.

Divinity is in its omniscience and omnipotence like a wheel, a circle, a whole, that can neither be understood, nor divided, nor begun nor ended.

There is no better means of attainment to the spiritual life Than by continually beginning again.

Greatness comes by beginning something that doesn’t end with you.

Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end.

Truly it is a blessed thing to love on earth as we hope to love in Heaven, and to begin that friendship here which is to endure for ever there.

Happiness begins with you. Not with your relationship, your friends, or your job. but with you.

Love was without beginning, is, and shall be without ending.