Portrait of Algernon Sidney

Algernon Sidney’s Motto was that his Hand (i.e. his pen) was an Enemy to all Tyrants (1660)

Found in: Discourses Concerning Government

In the Foreword to the Liberty Fund edition of Algernon Sidney’s Discourses, Thomas G. West discusses the importance of Sidney’s work to the American Founding Fathers:

Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots

Manus haec inimica tyrannis Einse petit placidam cum libertate quietem. (This hand, enemy to tyrants, By the sword seeks calm peacefulness with liberty.)