To please everybody is impossible; were I to undertake it, I should probably please nobody.

It is incumbent upon every person of every description to contribute to his country's welfare.

A small knowledge of human nature will convince us, that, with far the greatest part of mankind, interest is the governing principle... Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good. It is vain to exclaim against the depravity of human nature on this account; the fact is so, the experience of every age and nation has proved it and we must in a great measure, change the constitution of man, before we can make it otherwise. No institution, not built on the presumptive truth of these maxims can succeed.

It is our policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

May 12-13: Sowed Hemp at Muddy hole by Swamp. August 7: Began to separate the Male from the Female at Do - rather too late.

We can not guarantee success, we can strive to deserve it.

The Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings and successes.