“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”

Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.

It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice.

We have no right to prejudice another in his civil enjoyments because he is of another church.

Good wine is a necessity of life for me.

Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the governments of Europe, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor morum over each other.

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.

Never spend your money before you have it.

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion.

An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.

I vow that I do not hold that complete and instantaneous love for the freedom of the press that one accords to things whose nature is unqualifiedly good. I love it out of consideration for the evils it prevents much more than for the good it does.

The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.

…International education cannot be the work of one country. It is the responsibility and promise of all nations. It calls for free exchange and full collaboration…The knowledge of our citizens is one treasure which grows only when it is shared.

I won’t perform in Cuba until there’s no more Castro and there’s a free Cuba. To me, Cuba’s the biggest prison in the world, and I would be very hypocritical were I to perform there.

Freedom is the recognition of necessity.

The freedom of the press works in such a way that there is not much freedom from it.

There is freedom in loneliness. A kind of freedom that hurts. The kind you wish you never had.