馃摐 On the Constitution & Liberty
- “The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”
- “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”
- “The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.”
馃椊 On Government & Power
- “The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”
- “Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power.”
- “A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.”
馃 On Wisdom & Human Nature
- “Philosophy is common sense with big words.”
- “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
- “The means of defense against foreign danger have always been the instruments of tyranny at home.”
