The bloom of Monticello is chilled by my solitude.

Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves.

Excessive taxation . . . will carry reason & reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.

Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.

Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.