Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

It is more honorable to repair a wrong than to persist in it.

It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not, and blasphemy against religion to suppose it cannot stand the test of truth and reason.

Were I to commence my administration again, the first question I would ask respecting a candidate would be, Does he use ardent spirits?

The cost of freedom is eternal vigilance

One never really knows how much one has been touched by a place until one has left it.

among the values of classical learning I estimate the Luxury of reading the Greek & Roman authors in all the beauties of their originals ... I think myself more indebted to my father for this, than for all the other luxuries his cares and affections have placed within my reach.