“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.”

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.

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.

Virtue is not hereditary.

The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.

Some people can be reasoned into sense, and others must be shocked into it.

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

It is easy to see that when republican virtue fails, slavery ensues.

Where knowledge is a duty, ignorance is a crime.

The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.

Character is much easier kept than recovered.

Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.

Men’s indignation, it seems, is more exited by legal wrong than by violent wrong; the first looks like being cheated by an equal, the second like being compelled by a superior.

Now the only sure basis of an alliance is for each party to be equally afraid of the other.

And it is certain that those who do not yield to their equals, who keep terms with their superiors, and are moderate towards their inferiors, on the whole succeed best.

The iron chain and the silken cord are both equally bonds.

True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure.

True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.

I wish you power that equals your intelligence and your strength. I wish you success that equals your talent and determination. And I wish you faith.