The rights of Englishmen are derived from God, not from king or Parliament, and would be secured by the study of history, law, and tradition.

I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: 'Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800'.

Men must be ready, they must pride themselves and be happy to sacrifice their private pleasures, passions and interests, nay, their private friendships and dearest connections, when they stand in competition with the rights of society.

Ambition is one of the ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable.

I must judge for myself, but how can I judge, how can any man judge, unless his mind has been opened and enlarged by reading.

Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government.

Mr. Jefferson has reason to reflect upon himself. How he will get rid of his remorse in his retirement, I know not. He must know that he leaves the government infinitely worse than he found it, and that from his own error or ignorance.