But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.

Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous.

Merchants have no country.

The day is not distant when we must bear and adopt [the abolition of slavery], or worse will follow.

I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives. For it is in our lives, and not from our works, that our religion must be read.

No man has done everything he can who has done only his best.

Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors? Fallible men; men governed by bad passions, by private as well as public reasons. And why subject it to coercion? To produce uniformity. But is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than of face and stature.