Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.

I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.

The way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

I find the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute than the pleasure of much praise.

We exist, and are quoted, as standing proofs that a government, so modeled as to rest continually on the will of the whole society, is a practicable government.

... the common law existed while the Anglo-Saxons were yet pagans, at a time when they had never yet heard the name of Christ pronounced or knew that such a character existed.

To preserve the freedom of the human mind then and freedom of the press, every spirit should be ready to devote itself to martyrdom; for as long as we may think as we will, and speak as we think, the condition of man will proceed in improvement