"To bring the matter to one point,..." - Quote by Thomas Paine

“Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?”

“In a general view, there are few conquests that repay the charge of making them, and mankind are pretty well convinced that it can never be worth their while to go to war for profit's sake. If they are made war upon, their country invaded, or their existence at stake, it is their duty to defend and preserve themselves, but in every other light, and from every other cause, is war inglorious and detestable.”

“I fear not, I see not reason for fear. In the end we will be the victors. For though at times the flame of liberty may cease to shine, the ember will never expire.”

“I live to succeed, not to please you or anyone else.”

“I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names, to large societies and dead institutions.”

“Being prime minister is a lonely job... you cannot lead from the crowd.”

“Men can never escape being governed. Either they must govern themselves or they must submit to being governed by others.”

“That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.”

“I want India to come into her own and that state cannot be better defined by any single word than Swaraj.”