We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it.

To disarm the people... was the best and most effectual way to enslave them.

The freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.

I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials.

Considering the natural lust for power so inherent in man, I fear the thirst of power will prevail to oppress the people.

Don't wait around for your life to happen to you. Find something that makes you happy, and do it. Because everything else is all just background noise.

Those gentlemen, who will be elected senators, will fix themselves in the federal town, and become citizens of that town more than of your state.

No point is of more importance than that the right of impeachment should be continued. Shall any man be above Justice?

No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue.

That in controversies respecting property, and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other, and ought to be held sacred.

In all our associations; in all our agreements let us never lose sight of this fundamental maxim - that all power was originally lodged in, and consequently is derived from, the people.

It's all well and good to look back after the fact and see what we should have done, but we rarely know what path is best when we take that first step.

Just as an earthly father knows what is best for his children's welfare so does God take into consideration the particular needs of His human family and meets them out of His wonderful storehouse.

Let's keep the Internet weird. Let's keep the Internet free.

We buy our own toilet paper even here in the White House.

They can't yank a novelist like they can a pitcher. A novelist has to go the full nine, even if it kills him.

Writing, printing, and the Internet give a false sense of security about the permanence of culture.

This morning I was laughing at my cat who was running up the stairs and slipped, and pretended like it didn't happen.

I never had any ambition to be a star, or whatever it is called, and I'm still embarrassed at the word.

The secretary of education does not work for the education establishment. The secretary works for the American people.

When I was little there was a picture in one of our books, a dark place into which a single weak ray of light came slanting upon two faces lifted out of the shadow.