To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff.

What students would learn in American schools above all is the religion of Jesus Christ.

Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.

There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily

My first wish is, to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in more pleasing and innocent amusements, than in preparing implements, and exercising them, for the destruction of mankind.

Have the strength to be an honest person.

I consider it an indubitable mark of mean-spiritedness and pitiful vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of man.