A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.

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

The World is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.

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

He who dares not offend cannot be honest.

[A]ll churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim, are simply human inventions. They use fear to enslave us. They are a monopoly for power and profit.

If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.

Religion is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize humankind; and, for my part, I sincerely detest it as I detest everything that is cruel.

Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.

Don't limit a child to your own learning, for she was born in another time.

To get what I wanted I became the monster I’ve always hated...

Prison is an expensive way of making bad people worse.

It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty.

Decisions are beautiful. They are the evidence of thought and care. Decisions are the polishing cloths of life.

It's an incredible feeling falling in love someone who doesn't know you exist.

I'm used to being crazy and "rock-n-rolly", which is a little different than this world. For me, it was a chance to stretch a little bit.

And as far as I can see the world is too old for us to talk about it with our new words.

One of my favorite things about my job is getting to hang around with people who really know what they're talking about.

I can't imagine ever not making music, making albums, writing songs, doing shows. That's all I really know, and that's all I really do.