It is a general principle of human nature, that a man will be interested in whatever he possesses, in proportion to the firmness or precariousness of the tenure by which he holds it.

People sometimes attribute my success to my genius; all the genius I know anything about is hard work.

Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all the power to the few, they will oppress the many.

When a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense — to fight the government.

One great error is that we suppose mankind more honest than they are.

I think the first duty of society is justice.

There is a certain enthusiasm in liberty, that makes human nature rise above itself, in acts of bravery and heroism.

Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.

A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.

Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence.

It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.

Yes. THANK YOU. And say hello to Judas Iscariot.

The greatest form of abortion is not letting the man put it there in the first place!

Just because we're related doesn't mean we are any good at understanding each other.

The reason I stop playing songs is usually because I get sick of them, and then they find themselves back into the set list at some point.

I believe we owe our young an education that captures the exhilarating drama of science.

There is no sense in agreeing or desiring that the United States take an affirmative position in outer space, unless we are prepared to do the work and bear the burdens to make it successful.

Do you believe there is some place that will make thesoul less thirsty? In that great absence you will find nothing.

Rationality tied to moral decency is the most powerful joint instrument for good that our planet has ever known.

Exclusion is always dangerous. Inclusion is the only safety if we are to have a peaceful world.

Atheism comes into rather a bad press and I suppose I'd rather describe myself as a humanist... I don't believe in God. I don't believe there is a God.