An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.

If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield...

Wisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows. But Beauty is jealous, and illy bears the presence of a rival.

The world is indebted for all triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

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

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

The merchant has no country

He who receives ideas from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me

Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometric progression as they rise

No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to...

I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship...

Our civil rights have no dependence upon our religious opinions more than our opinions in physics or geometry.

It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.

One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.

I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.

The Creator has not thought proper to mark those in the forehead who are of stuff to make good generals. We are first, therefore, to seek them blindfold, and then let them learn the trade...

An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

It is more honorable to repair a wrong than to persist in it

The foundation on which all our constitution are built is the natural equality of man

The execution of the laws is more important than the making them

Were we to be directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

I am of a sect by myself, as far as I know

the man that reads nothing is better educated than the man that reads nothing more than newspapers

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens

I agree with yours of the 22d that a professorship of Theology should have no place in our institution. but we cannot always do what is absolutely best. those with whom we act, entertaining different...

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.

I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved – the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief...

No man will ever bring out of that office the reputation which carries him into it. The honeymoon would be as short in that case as in any other, and its moments of ecstasy would...

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.

In defense of our persons and properties under actual violation, we took up arms. When that violence shall be removed, when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, hostilities shall cease on our...

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

The way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

A little rebellion is good now and then.

Governments (derive) their just powers from the consent of the governed

If there be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the mind of every American, it is, that we should have nothing to do with conquest

All authority belongs to the people

No one more sincerely wishes the spread of information among mankind than I do, and none has greater confidence in its effect towards supporting free and good government.

Offices are as acceptable here as elsewhere, and whenever a man has cast a longing eye on them, a rottenness begins in his conduct

I see students all over and around the building. It looks nothing like a school. It looks like a country club.

A Decalogue of Canons for Observation in Practical Life:1. Never put off to tomorrow what you can do to-day.2. Never trouble another with what you can do yourself.3. Never spend your money before you have...

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

The most fortunate of us all in our journey through life frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which greatly afflict us. To fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes should be...

The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.

Whereas it appeareth that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights, and are at the same time themselves better guarded against...

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.