Indeed the abuses of the freedom of the press here have been carried to a length never bfore known or borne by any civilized nation. But it is so difficult to draw a clear line of separation between the abuse and the wholesome use of the press, that as yet we have found it better to trust the public judgement, rather than the magistrate, with the discrimination between truth and falsehood. And hitherto the public judgement has performed that office with wonderful correctness. - To Pictet, 1803

The care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or estate, which more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he shall not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills. - Notes on Religion, 1776.

Why suspend the habeas corpus in insurrections and rebellions? The parties who may be arrested, may be charged instantly with a well defined crime; of course, the judge will remand them. ... See how few of the cases of the suspension of the habeas corpus law, have been worthy of that suspension. They have either been real treason, wherein the parties might as well have been charged at once, or sham plots where it was shameful they should ever have been suspected- To Madison, 1788.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it. - To Stuart, 1791

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. - Arguments for religious freedom