Say what you have to say, not what you ought. Any truth is better than make-believe.

If there is any hell more unprincipled than our rulers, and we, the ruled, I feel curious to see it.

A town is saved, not more by the righteous men in it, than by the woods and swamps that surround it.

Experience is in the fingers and head. The heart is inexperienced.

Much of our poetry has the very best manners, but no character.

Say, Not so, and you will out circle the philosophers.

I cannot easily buy a blank-book to write thoughts in; they are commonly ruled for dollars and cents.