The power of making war often prevents it, and in our case would give efficacy to our desire of peace.

The suppression of unnecessary offices, of useless establishments and expenses enabled us to discontinue our internal taxes. These covering our land with officers, and opening our doors to their intrusions, had already begun that process of domiciliary vexation which, once entered, is scarcely to be restrained from reaching successively every article of produce and property.

It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.

Take more pleasure in giving what is best to another than in having it for yourself, and then all the world will love you.

I have always said that a studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.

I have lived temperately, eating little animal food, and that not as an aliment, so much as a condiment for the vegetables, which constitute my principal diet.

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.