To require conformity in the appreciation of sentiments or the interpretation of language, or uniformity of thought, feeling, or action, is a fundamental error in human legislation -- a madness which would be only equaled by requiring all men to possess the same countenance, the same voice or the same stature.

Governments commit more crimes upon persons and property and contribute more to their insecurity than all [the] criminals put together.

It has now become a very common sentiment, that there is some deep and radical wrong somewhere, and that legislators have proved themselves incapable of discovering, or, of remedying it.

It is dangerous to understand new things too quickly.

The necessity of every one paying in his own labor for what he consumes, affords the only legitimate and effectual check to excessive luxury, which has so often ruined individuals, states and empires; and which has now brought almost universal bankruptcy upon us.

I decline all noisy, wordy, confused, and personal controversies.

The disconnection of Church and State was a master stroke for freedom and harmony.