Power always thinks... that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws.

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

The foundations of national morality must be laid in private families.

The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature. . . . [In] the formation of the American governments . . . it will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the influence of heaven. . . . These governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.

The universal object and idol of men of letters is reputation.

One sailor will do us more good than two soldiers.

Will you tell me how to prevent riches from producing luxury? Will you tell me how to prevent luxury from producing effeminacy, intoxication, extravagance, vice and folly?