Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

Your sect [the Jews] by its sufferings has furnished a remarkable proof of the universal point of religious insolence, inherent in every sect, disclaimed by all while feeble and practised by all when in power. Our laws have applied the only antidote to this vice, protecting our religions, as they do our civil rights, by putting all on equal footing. But more remains to be done.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse in any country. If it were, the laws would lose their effect, because it can always be pretended.

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.

Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.

I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.

Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves.