The variety of opinions leads to questions. Questions lead to truth.

It [appears] that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights, and are at the same time themselves better guarded against degeneracy, yet experience [has] shown that, even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

Each generation has a right to choose for itself the form of government it believes most promotive of its happiness.

To make us one nation as to foreign concerns, and keep us distinct in Domestic ones gives the outline of the proper division of powers between the general [national] and particular [state] governments.

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.

It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and examine well his own opinion.

Everything is useful which contributes to fix the principles and practices of virtue.