Quotes about Independence

Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient.

Anyone who has no need of anybody but himself is either a beast or a God.

There is only one condition in which we can imagine managers not needing subordinates, and masters not needing slaves. This condition would be that each instrument could do its own work, at the word of command or by intelligent anticipation, like the statues of Daedalus or the tripods made by Hephaestus, of which Homer relates that Of their own motion they entered the conclave of Gods on Olympus, as if a shuttle should weave of itself, and a plectrum should do its own harp playing.

I have gained this by philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law.

When we parted she was a free woman, but I could never again be a free man.

The only object of liberty is life.

I have no help to send, therefore I must go myself.

It is desirable that a man live in all respects so simply and preparedly that if an enemy take the town... he can walk out the gate empty-handed and without anxiety.

A man may be a heretic in the truth; and if he believe things only because his pastor says so, or the assembly so determines, without knowing other reason, though his belief be true, yet the very truth he holds becomes his heresy.

Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind.

For so I created them free and free they must remain.

Better reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.