I questioned the faithful of all communions; I particularly sought the society of clergymen, who are the depositories of the various creeds and have a personal interest in their survival ... all thought the main reason for the quiet sway of religion over their country was the complete separation of church and state. I have no hesitation in stating that throughout my stay in America I met nobody, lay or cleric, who did not agree about that.

It must not be forgotten that it is especially dangerous to enslave men in the minor details of life. For my part, I should be inclined to think freedom less necessary in the great things than in the little ones, if it were possible to be secure of the one without the other.

[R]eligion cannot share the material strength of the rulers without being burdened with some of the animosity roused against them.

Of all nations, those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase.

A newspaper is an adviser who does not require to be sought, but who comes of his own accord, and talks to you briefly every day of the common wealth, without distracting you from your private affairs.

A great democratic revolution is taking place in our midst.

One of the happiest consequences of the absence of government...is the development of individual strength that inevitably follows.