1785 Quotes

“The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right. It is unalienable, because the opinions of men, depending only on the evidence contemplated by their own minds cannot follow the dictates of other men: It is unalienable also, because what is here a right towards men, is a duty towards the Creator. It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage and such only as he believes to be acceptable to him.”
― James Madison, A Memorial And Remonstrance, On The Religious Rights Of Man: Written In 1784-85

“If we are undone, we are the most splendidly ruined of any nation in the universe.”
― Charles Thomson