"Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest."

"The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their Constitutions of Government."

"They came with a Bible and their religion- stole our land, crushed our spirit... and now tell us we should be thankful to the 'Lord' for being saved. Chief Pontiac, American Indian Chieftain"

"George Washington famously warned against ... 'ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear"

"The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in."

"One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts."

"LIBERTY, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."

"Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment."

"Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature; and in all cases of passion admit reason to govern."

"If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens."

"Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome."

"The great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions."

"Its good to live alone than to live in a bad company"

"Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe."

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence."

"Decision making, like coffee, needs a cooling process."

"If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be -- a Christian. Samuel Clemens "Mark Twain", American author and humorist"

"[T]he gradual extension of our settlements will as certainly cause the savage, as the wolf, to retire; both being beasts of prey, though they differ in shape."

"A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred."

"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest."

"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people. James Madison, U.S. President"

"Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. George Washington, Revolutionary War General and U.S. President"

"Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness."

"I'll die on my feet before I'll live on my knees!"

"I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world."

"I was born a heretic. I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. Susan B. Anthony, U.S. reformer and suffragist"

"I can truly say I had rather be a Mount Vernon than to be attended at the Seat of Government by the Officers of State and the Representatives of every Power in Europe."

"A man is accepted into a church for what he believes and he is turned out for what he knows. Samuel Clemens "Mark Twain", American author and humorist"

"You say there is but one way to worship the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Chief Red Jacket, Seneca Indian Chieftain"

"Faith, as well intentioned as it may be, must be built on facts, not fiction- faith in fiction is a damnable false hope. Thomas Edison, American inventor"

"System to all things is the soul of business. To execute properly and act maturely is the way to conduct it to your advantage."

"56.Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad Company."

"Do not suffer your good nature [...] to say yes when you ought to say no; remember that it is a public not a private cause that is to be injured or benefitted by your choice"

"Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights."

"Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles."

"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion. John Adams, U.S. President"

"This would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it. John Adams, U.S. President"

"Every man thinks God is on his side. The rich and powerful know he is. Jean Anouilh, French dramatist and playwright"

"Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."

"89th: Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust."

"Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power."

"It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company."

"Creationists make it sound like a 'theory' is something you dreamt up after being drunk all night. Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author"

"It is a much easier and less distressing thing to draw remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fireside than to occupy a cold bleak hill and sleep under frost and snow without cloaths or blankets."

"90. Being Set at meat Scratch not, neither Spit, Cough, or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it."