I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.

I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time.

The issuing power [of money] should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.

One imputation in particular has been repeated till it seems as if some at least believed it: that I am an enemy to commerce. They admit me a friend of agriculture, and suppose me an enemy to the only means of disposing of its produce.

I deplore with you the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed, and the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of those who write for them. ... This has in a great degree been produced by the violence and malignity of party spirit.

We figure great careers aren't made. They're experienced.

We should talk over the lessons of the day, or lose them in Music, Chess, or the merriments of our family companions.