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

the study of the law is useful in a variety of points of view. it qualifies a man to be useful to himself, to his neighbors, & to the public.

...the science of calculation also is indispensable as far as the extraction of the square and cube roots: Algebra as far as the quadratic equation and the use of logarithms are often of value in ordinary cases: but all beyond these is but a luxury; a delicious luxury indeed; but not be in indulged in by one who is to have a profession to follow for his subsistence.

When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.

Our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them.

Of distinction by birth or badge, [Americans] had no more idea than they had of the mode of existence in the moon or planets. They had heard only that there were such, and knew that they must be wrong.

Never use two words when one will do.