Ambition without principle never was long under the guidance of good sense.

The Liberty of the press consists in the right to publish with impunity truth with good motives for justifiable ends, though reflecting on government, magistracy, or individuals.

I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man.

The only constitutional exception to the power of making treaties is, that it shall not change the Constitution.… On natural principles, a treaty, which should manifestly betray or sacrifice primary interests of the state, would be null.

Every nation ought to have a right to provide for its own happiness.

Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred.

It is a just observation that the people commonly intend the Public Good. This often applies to their very errors. But their good sense would despise the adulator who should pretend they always reason right about the means of promoting it.