When a man has so far corrupted and prostituted the chastity of his mind, as to [profess] things he does not believe, he has prepared himself for the commission of every other crime.

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The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

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Government is best which governs least

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The slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.

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Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

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He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

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No country can be called free which is governed by an absolute power; and it matters not whether it be an absolute royal power or an absolute legislative power, as the consequences will be the same to the people.

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A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

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I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children can live in peace.

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The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.

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