Patience is a noble virtue, and, when rightly exercised, does not fail of its reward.

Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

My ardent desire is... to keep the United States free from political connexions with every other Country. To see that they may be independent of all, and under the influence of none.

Happiness is more effectually dispensed to mankind under a republican form of government than any other.

The company in which you will improve most will be least expensive to you.

I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.

Liberty, when it degrades into licentiousness, begets confusion, and frequently ends in tyranny or some woeful confusion.