In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the meaning of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.

Nothing is so contagious as opinion, especially on questions which, being susceptible of very different glosses, beget in the mind a distrust of itself.

Respect for character is always diminished in proportion to the number among whom the blame or praise is to be divided.

I flatter myself [we] have in this country extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.

Truth [comes only] from those ... who cultivate their reason.