Gouverneur Morris had often told me that General Washington believed no more of that system (Christianity) than did he himself.

A truth now and then projecting into the ocean of newspaper lies serves like headlands to correct our course. Indeed, my scepticism as to everything I see in a newspaper makes me indifferent whether I ever see one.

If a sect arises whose tenets would subvert morals, good sense has fair play and reasons and laughs it out of doors without suffering the State to be troubled with it.

When habit has strengthened our sense of duties, they leave us no time for other things; but when young we neglect them and this gives us time for anything.

I find the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute than the pleasure of much praise.

State a moral case to a plowman and a professor. The former will decide it as well, and often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules.

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.