When the nature of the thing is incomprehensible, I can acquiesce in the Scripture: but when the signification of words is incomprehensible, I cannot acquiesce in the authority of a Schoolman.

A democracy is no more than an aristocracy of orators. The people are so readily moved by demagogues that control must be exercised by the government over speech and press.

The condition of man... is a condition of war of everyone against everyone.

Government is necessary, not because man is naturally bad... but because man is by nature more individualistic than social.

Hell is truth seen too late.

Humans are driven by a perpetual and restless desire of power.

The right of nature... is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life.

How could a state be governed, or protected in its foreign relations if every individual remained free to obey or not to obey the law according to his private opinion.

Life in the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.

It is not wisdom but Authority that makes a law

Curiosity is the lust of the mind.

Believe in your sacred self: strength of your being.

To share is just to align with a person.

There were moments when it honestly seemed as if the world were conspiring against her.

Rights come from God and only from God.

All that is told of the sea has a fabulous sound to an inhabitant of the land and all its products have a certain fabulous quality, as if they belonged to another planet.

Our response to an offense determines our future.

Poverty is no disgrace. But it is certainly not a recommendation.

I like witty people, people who can be witty on the spot.

Everyone should write a book, if only to see how much work goes into even the slight volume I send you.

Muslim immigrants like himself encounter prejudice here [in U.S.] but also find political and religious freedom.