Honor is truly sacred, but holds a lower rank in the scale of moral excellence than virtue. Indeed the former is part of the latter, and consequently has not equal pretensions to support a frame of government productive of human happiness.

It is folly to anticipate evils, and madness to create imaginary ones.

In general, our generals were outgeneralled.

My history of the Jesuits is not elegantly written, but is supported by unquestionable authorities, is very particular and very horrible. Their restoration is indeed "a step toward darkness," cruelty, perfidy, despotism, death and I wish we were out of danger of bigotry and Jesuitism.

Everything in life should be done with reflection.

I shall have the liberty to think for myself.

As the happiness of the people is the sole end of government, so the consent of the people is the only foundation of it.