The only way by which any one divests himself of his natural liberty and puts on the bonds of civil society is by agreeing with other men to join and unite into a community.

Man being … by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.

Whatsoever … [man] removes out of the state that nature hath provided and left it in, he hath mixed his labour with, and joined to it something that is his own, and thereby makes it his property.

The end of law is, not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.

All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it.

It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of truth.

No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

O Ireland, isn’t it grand you look— Like a bride in her rich adornin’? And with all the pent-up love of my heart I bid you the top o’ the mornin’!