The evils which of necessity encompass the life of man are sufficiently numerous. Why should we add to them by voluntarily distressing and destroying one another? Peace, brothers, is better than war. In a long and bloody war, we lose many friends, and gain nothing. Let us then live in peace and friendship together, doing to each other all the good we can.

The last hope of human liberty in this world rests on us. we ought, for so dear a stake, to sacrifice every attachment & every enmity.

Ministers of the Gospel are excluded [from serving as Visitors of the county Elementary Schools] to avoid jealousy from the other sects, were the public education committed to the ministers of a particular one; and with more reason than in the case of their exclusion from the legislative and executive functions.

A lawyer without books would be like a workman without tools.

It would not be for the public good to have [a majority in Congress of one party] greater [than] two to one.

One precedent in favor of power is stronger than a hundred against it.

Music furnishes a delightful recreation for the hours of respite from the cares of the day, and lasts us through life.