The advocate of religious freedom is to expect neither peace nor forgiveness from [the clergy].

I hope that we have not labored in vain, and that our experiment will still prove that men can be governed by reason.

Difference of opinion is helpful in religion.

The executive, in our government is not the sole, it is scarcely the principle, object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the legislature is the most formidable dread at present and will be for many years. That of the executive will come in its turn, but it will be at a remote period.

On the subject of the history of the American Revolution, you ask who shall write it? Who can write it? And who will ever be able to write it? Nobody, except merely its external facts... all its councils, designs and discussions having been conducted by Congress [behind] closed doors - and no members, as far as I know, having even made notes of them. These, which are the life and soul of history, must forever be unknown.

I have nothing but contempt for anyone who can spell a word in only one way.

Every man has two countries: his own and France.