Honesty will be found on every experiment, to be the best and only true policy; let us then as a Nation be just.

It is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.

I am principled against this kind of traffic in the human species . . . and to disperse the families I have an aversion.

The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.

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

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations to have as little political connection as possible... Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalships, interest, humor, or caprice?... It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.

When once the woman has tempted us, and we have tasted the forbidden fruit, there is no such thing as checking our appetites, whatever the consequences may be.