Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order.

We are in the the very midst of a revolution, the most complete, unexpected and remarkable of any in the history of nations.

As unbalanced parties of every description can never tolerate a free inquiry of any kind, when employed against themselves, the license, and even the most temperate freedom of the press, soon excite resentment and revenge.

We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature.

Everything in life should be done with reflection.

During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.

Thus, experience has ever shown, that education, as well as religion, aristocracy, as well as democracy and monarchy, are, singly, totally inadequate to the business of restraining the passions of men, of preserving a steady government, and protecting the lives, liberties, and properties of the people . . . . Religion, superstition, oaths, education, laws, all give way before passions, interest, and power, which can be resisted only by passions, interest, and power.