Every person has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one, more important, which he gives to himself.

Truth, naked, unblushing truth, the first virtue of all serious history, must be the sole recommendation of this personal narrative.

But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

Religion is a mere question of geography.

Freedom is the first wish of our heart; freedom is the first blessing of nature; and unless we bind ourselves with voluntary chains of interest or passion, we advance in freedom as we advance in years

As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters.

The criminal penalties [for suicide] are the production of a later and darker age.