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The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.

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That government is best which governs the least because its people discipline themselves.

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I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable. But the consequences of this enormous inequality [in Europe] producing so much mis...more

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Nothing is more likely than that [the] enumeration of powers is defective. This is the ordinary case of all human works. Let us then go on perfecting ...more

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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

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The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.

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I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; be...more

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The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.

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If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It...more

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Every man wishes to pursue his occupation and to enjoy the fruits of his labours and the produce of his property in peace and safety and with the lea...more

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It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

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If it is believed that these elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council or any other general authority of the government, t...more

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The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

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And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these lib...more

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