Truth will do well enough if left to shift for herself.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.

Taste cannot be controlled by law.

The merchant has no country .

It should be our endeavor to cultivate the peace and friendship of every nation, even of that which has injured us most.

Even in Europe a change has sensibly taken place in the mind of man. Science has liberated the ideas of those who read and reflect, and the American example has kindled feelings of right in the people. An insurrection has consequently begun of science talents and courage against rank and birth, which have fallen into contempt. It has failed in its first effort, because the mobs of the cities, the instrument used for its accomplishment, debased by ignorance, poverty and vice, could not be restrained to rational action. But the world will soon recover from the panic of this first catastrophe.

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.