Having seen the people of all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness.

When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever: that, considering numbers, nature, and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events: that it may become probable by supernatural interference! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest.

Whiskey claims to itself alone the exclusive office of sot-making.

I would rather have newspapers without a government than a government without newspapers.

Take more pleasure in giving what is best to another than in having it for yourself, and then all the world will love you.

May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.