自由之花需要经常用爱国者和暴君的鲜血来浇灌。

原文：The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

如果一个国家期望在国民无知的情况下却拥有自由，那么这种期望无论在历史上，还是未来都绝不会实现。如果我们打算抵御无知和捍卫自由，每位美国人都有责任了解一件公共事务的来龙去脉。

原文：If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization,it expects what never was and never will be....If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free,it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."

——出处：letter to Col. Charles Yancey, January 6, 1816