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Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.

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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darke...more

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Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.

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If it is believed that these elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council or any other general authority of the government, t...more

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For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

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There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.

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This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to t...more

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The people are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.

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The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

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If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

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I have indeed two great measures at heart, without which no republic can maintain itself in strength: 1. That of general education, to enable every ma...more

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The probable accumulation of the surpluses of revenue beyond what can be applied to the payment of the public debt... merits the consideration of Cong...more

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I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of...more

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A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.

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It be urged that the wild and uncultivated tree, hitherto yielding sour and bitter fruit only, can never be made to yield better; yet we know that the...more