"The government of a country, by a part of the people, is, for all purposes of good government, an equally objectionable form of government with that of a single despot."

"Truth gains more even by the errors of one who, with due study and preparation, thinks for himself, than by the true opinions of those who only hold them because they do not suffer themselves to think…"

"Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded; and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigour, …"

"The greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation."

"Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement."