There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me.

The care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills.

The advocate of religious freedom is to expect neither peace nor forgiveness from [the clergy].

Government can do something for the people only in proportion as it can do something to the people.

The States should be urged to concede to the General Government, with a saving of chartered rights, the exclusive power of establishing banks of discount for paper.

Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object of their aim.

People generally have more feeling for canals and roads than education. However, I hope we can advance them with equal pace.