The information of the people at large can alone make them the safe as they are the sole depositary of our political and religious freedom.

Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.

I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

A government regulating itself by what is wise and just for the many, uninfluenced by the local and selfish views of the few who direct their affairs, has not been seen, perhaps, on earth. Or if it existed for a moment at the birth of ours, it would not be easy to fix the term of its continuance. Still, I believe it does exist here in a greater degree than anywhere else; and for its growth and continuance... I offer sincere prayers.

While learning the language in France a young man's morals, health and fortune are more irresistibly endangered than in any country of the universe.

The example of changing a constitution by assembling the wise men of the state, instead of assembling armies, will be worth as much to the world as the former examples we had give them. The constitution, too, which was the result of our deliberation, is unquestionably the wisest ever yet presented to men.

The lamp of war is kindled here, not to be extinguished but by torrents of blood.