Choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for its wisdom.

We will be soldiers, so our sons may be farmers, so their sons may be artists

I look to the diffusion of light and education as the resource most to be relied on for ameliorating the condition, promoting the virtue and advancing the happiness of man.

The people of every country are the only safe guardians of their own rights, and are the only instruments which can be used for their destruction. And certainly they would never consent to be so used were they not deceived. To avoid this they should be instructed to a certain degree.

I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress of liberty in all nations, and would forever give it the weight of our countenance, yet they are not to be touched without contamination from their other bad principles. Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.

I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.