Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindred and tongues.

The constitution has divided the powers of government into three branches, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary, lodging each with a distinct magistracy. The Legislative it has given completely to the Senate and House of Representatives. It has declared that the Executive powers shall be vested in the President, submitting special articles of it to a negative by the Senate, and it has vested the Judiciary power in the courts of justice, with certain exceptions also in favor of the Senate.

A room without books is like a life without meaning.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle grateful that they are not worse rather than the rough handle, bitter that they are not better.

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate power of the society but the people themselves.

Compulsion in religion is distinguished peculiarly from compulsion in every other thing. ...I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.

To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself.