It is our attitude toward free thought and free expression that will determine our fate. There must be no limit on the range of temperate discussion, no limits on thought. No subject must be taboo. No censor must preside at our assemblies.
Idealists and fanatics
From the saintly and single-minded idealist to the fanatic is often but a step.
Protection against the mob
By liberty, I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom, and opinion.
Injurious banks
Banks have done more injury to the religion, morality, tranquility, prosperity, and even wealth of the nation than they can have done or ever will do good.
The judiciary as saboteurs
The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations of our confederated fabric. They are construing our constitution from a coordination of a general and special government to a general and supreme one alone. This will lay all things at their feet … We shall see if they are bold enough to take the daring stride their five lawyers have lately taken. If they do, then … I will say, that ‘against this every man should raise his voice,’ and more, should uplift his arm.
Root of tyranny
The people have always some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness … This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs, when he first appears he is a protector.
Americans are trusted with arms
Americans have the right and advantage of being armed — unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
Conspiracy against peace
The strongest passions and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honorable or venal love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace.
Isolationism and self-reliance
There can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation.
Wars abroad, impoverishment at home
Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending generally, if not always, that the good of the people was the object.