The infant periods of most nations are buried in silence or veiled in fable; and the world perhaps has lost but little which it needs regret. The origin and outset of the American Republic contain lessons of which posterity ought not to be deprived: and happily there never was a case in which every interesting incident could be so accurately preserved.

A standing military force, with an overgrown Executive will not long be safe companions to liberty.

As to the permanent interest of individuals in the aggregated interests of the community, and in the proverbial maxim, that honesty is the best policy, present temptation is often found to be an overmatch for those considerations.

[N]o religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law, nor compel men to worship God in any Manner contrary to their conscience.

No power over the freedom of religion [is] delegated to the United States by the Constitution.

They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society.