Democracies have been, and governments called, free; but the spirit of independence and the consciousness of unalienable rights, were never before transfused into the minds of a whole people....The feeling of equality which they proudly cherish does not proceed from an ignorance of their station, but from the knowledge of their rights; and it is this knowledge which will render it so exceedingly difficult for any tyrant ever to triumph over the liberties of our country.

It requires but a few threads of hope, for the heart that is skilled in the secret, to weave a web of happiness.

The temple of our purest thoughts is silence.

Next to genius is the power of feeling where true genius lies.

Americans have two ardent passions; the love of liberty, and love of distinction.

Those who cannot think, have, in my opinion, a necessity (which goes very far towards creating a right) for amusement.

This is a speculating and selfish age; and to think 'money will answer all things,' is too much the characteristic of Americans.