It should be our endeavor to cultivate the peace and friendship of every nation . . . . Our interest will be to throw open the doors of commerce, and to knock off all its shackles, giving perfect freedom to all persons for the vent to whatever they may choose to bring into our ports, and asking the same in theirs.

No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him.

The appointment of a woman to office is an innovation for which the public is not prepared, nor I.

Tobacco is a culture productive of infinite wretchedness.

Most men die at age 25, but aren't buried until 70.

I cannot live without books: but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object.

[The people] are in truth the only legitimate proprietors of the soil and government.