None seemed to think the injury arose from the use of a bad thing but from the abuse of a very good thing

Do you think we choose the times into which we are born? Or do we fit the times we are born into?

The principles of Jefferson are the definitions and axioms of free society.

If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business.

One generation passeth away and another generation cometh, but the earth abideth forever.

Our adversaries [ the Confederate States of America ] have adopted some declarations of independence in which, unlike the good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit the words "all men are created equal." Why? They have adopted a temporary national constitution, in the preamble of which, unlike our good old one, signed by Washington, they omit "We, the People," and substitute "We, the deputies of the sovereign and independent States." Why? Why this deliberate pressing out of view, the rights of men, and the authority of the people?

Towering genius...thirsts and burns for distinction; and, if possible, it will have it, whether at the expense of emancipating slaves or enslaving freeman.