Government has no Right to hurt a hair of the head of an Atheist, for his Opinions. Let him have a care of his Practices.

I am well pleased with what I hear of you: The principal Satisfaction I can expect in Life, in future will be in your good Behavior and that of my other Children. My Hopes from all of you are very agreable. God grant, I may not be disappointed.

The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people, and must be willing to bear the expenses of it. There should not be a district of one mile square, without a school in it, not founded by a charitable individual, but maintained at the public expense of the people themselves.

A question arises whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one Assembly.

Power in any Form . . . when directed only by human Wisdom and Benevolence is dangerous.

The happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue.

Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.