It is time enough, for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere [in the propagation of religious teachings] when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order.

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.

Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

I had rather ask an enlargement of power from the nation, where it is found necessary, than to assume it by a construction which would make our powers boundless.

The great object of my fear is the federal judiciary. That body, like gravity, ever acting, with noiseless foot, and unalarming advance, gaining ground step by step, and holding what it gains, is ingulfing insidiously the special governments into the jaws of that which feeds them.

As government grows, freedom recedes.