An hereditary aristocracy... will change the form of our governments from the best to the worst in the world.

No man will ever bring out of the Presidency the reputation which carries him into it. To myself, personally, it brings nothing but increasing drudgery and daily loss of friends.

Men of high learning and abilities are few in every country; and by taking in those who are not so, the able part of the body have their hands tied by the unable.

Public employment contributes neither to advantage nor happiness. It is but honorable exile from one's family and affairs.

On every unauthoritative exercise of power by the legislature must the people rise in rebellion or their silence be construed into a surrender of that power to them? If so, how many rebellions should we have had already?

The opinions and beliefs of men follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds.

We should talk over the lessons of the day, or lose them in Music, Chess, or the merriments of our family companions.