Out of the most secure things, the most secure is to doubt.

Among the popular and representative systems of government I do not approve of the federal system: it is too perfect; and it requires virtues and political talents much superior to our own.

Nations will march towards the apex of their greatness at the same pace as their education. Nations will soar if their education soars; they will regress if it regresses. Nations will fall and sink in darkness if education is corrupted or completely abandoned

Republican democracy is overperfect and demands political virtues and talents far superior to our own.

An ignorant people is the blind instrument of its own destruction.

Slavery is the offspring of darkness.

War lives on despotism and is not waged with God's love.