One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier.

Doubts and jealousies often beget the facts they fear.

Freedom [is] the first-born daughter of science

[T]he true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the express words of the law.

Certainly one of the highest duties of the citizen is a scrupulous obedience to the laws of the nation. But it is not the highest duty.

I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared

I see no comfort in outliving one's friends, and remaining a mere monument of the times which are past.