It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

Thomas Jefferson · The source reads: “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” · Notes on the State of Virginia, 17

What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites.

Thomas Jefferson · Notes on the State of Virginia, 17

A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.

Thomas Jefferson

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on them, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

Thomas Jefferson · The source reads: “Offices are as acceptable here as elsewhere, and whenever a man has cast a longing eye on them, a rottenness begins in his conduct.” · Of public offices

Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau · The Social Contract (1762), I, ch. 1

I must have liberty Withal, as large a charter as the wind, To blow on whom I please.

William Shakespeare · As You Like It (1599–1600), II, vii

I am in favour of government by talking. I am strongly in favour of it as opposed to government by terror or government by corruption—or government by bayonet—or government by superstition or government by claptrap.

Winston Churchill · The source reads: “Well, I am in favour of government by talking. I am strongly in favour of it as opposed to government by terror or government by corruption—or government by bayonet— or government by superstition or government by claptrap.” · Coal Trade Benevolent Association Dinner, Guildhall, London, 13 November 1923

“It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

“What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites.”

“A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”

“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on them, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.”

“I must have liberty Withal, as large a charter as the wind, To blow on whom I please.”

“I am in favour of government by talking. I am strongly in favour of it as opposed to government by terror or government by corruption—or government by bayonet—or government by superstition or government by claptrap.”

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