Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

The abolition of domestic slavery is the great object of desire in those colonies, where it was unhappily introduced in their infant state.

Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same. One will always lead to the other.

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.

If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption, indifferent and incapable of a wholesome care over so wide a spread of surface. This will not be borne, and you will have to choose between reform and revolution. If I know the spirit of this country, the one or the other is inevitable.

What we learn to do, we learn by doing.

Having seen the people of all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness.