The pure and benign light of revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind.

The United States enjoy a scene of prosperity and tranquility under the new government that could hardly have been hoped for.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the government.

[The spirit of party] serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another.

[death]...the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return

Went to church and fasted all day.