"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits."
"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers."
"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself."
"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty."
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."