I shall often go wrong through defect of judgment. When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground. I ask your indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts.

War is not the best engine for us to resort to; nature has given us one in our commerce, which if properly managed, will be a better instrument for obliging the interested nations of Europe to treat us with justice.

I long to be in the midst of the children, and have more pleasure in their little follies than in the wisdom of the wise.

Let those flatter, who fear: it is not an American art. To give praise where it is not due, might be well from the venal, but would ill beseem those who are asserting the rights of human nature.

Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions.

The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.

The execution of the laws is more important than the making of them.