There is no act, however virtuous, for which ingenuity may not find some bad motive.

During the course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the press has been levelled against us, charged with whatsoever its licentiousness could devise or dare. These abuses of an institution so important to freedom and science are deeply to be regretted, inasmuch as they tend to lessen its usefulness and to sap its safety.

I have overlived the generation with which mutual labors & perils begat mutual confidence and influence.

The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.

The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance

The greatest honor of a man is in doing good to his fellow men, not in destroying them.

The multiplication of public offices, increase of expense beyond income, growth and entailment of a public debt are indications soliciting the employment of the pruning knife.