The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. - Thomas Jefferson

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

So long as the people do not care to exercise their freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote themselves in the name of any number of gods, religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping men. - Voltaire

Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. - William Pitt the Elder

Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character. - Margaret Chase Smith

He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. - Thomas Paine

if M. de Becourt’s book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. but, for god’s sake, let us freely hear both sides, if we chuse. - Thomas Jefferson

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. - Abraham Lincoln

Intolerance of ambiguity is the mark of an authoritarian personality. - Theodor Adorno

Once we assuage our conscience by calling something a 'necessary evil', it begins to look more and more necessary and less and less evil. - Sydney J. Harris

Contradiction is not a sign of falsity, nor the lack of contradiction a sign of truth. - Blaise Pascal

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods. - Albert Einstein