You have lived longer than I have and perhaps may have formed a different judgment on better grounds; but my observations do not enable me to say I think integrity the characteristic of wealth. In general I believe the decisions of the people, in a body, will be more honest and more disinterested than those of wealthy men.

If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.

I deny the power of the general government to making paper money, or anything else a legal tender.

It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.

To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself.

The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years.

If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can.