A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither

A nation which expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, expects that which never was and never will be.

How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

We confide in our strength, without boasting of it, we respect that of others, without fearing it.

Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.

If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation then by deflation, the banks and the corporations will grow up around them, will deprive the people of all property until their children wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.” — from the debate on the recharter of the Bank Bill (1809)