It is the old practice of despots to use a part of the people to keep the rest in order.

I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong.

If any doubt has arisen as to me, my country [Virginia] will have my political creed in the form of a "Declaration &c." which I was lately directed to draw. This will give decisive proof that my own sentiment concurred with the vote they instructed us to give.

I don't want them to kill no hog . . . . I want a man to go to that chair, on his own two feet.

Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.

Above all things, and at all times, practice yourself in good humor.