Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property... Horrid mischief would ensue were the law-abiding deprived of the use of them.

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To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

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The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.

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To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.

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

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It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies.

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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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The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.

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