May Heaven to this Union continue its beneficence

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence . . . the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake.

All see, and most admire, the glare which hovers round the external trappings of elevated office. To me there is nothing in it, beyond the lustre which may be reflected from its connection with a power of promoting human felicity.

I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.

I never mean, unless some particular circumstances should compel it, to possess another slave by purchase, it being among my first wishes to see some plan adopted, by which slavery in this country may be abolished by law.

Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person’s own mind, than on the externals in the world.

Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.