The possession of facts is knowledge; the use of them is wisdom.

During the course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the press has been levelled against us, charged with whatsoever its licentiousness could devise or dare. These abuses of an institution so important to freedom and science are deeply to be regretted, inasmuch as they tend to lessen its usefulness and to sap its safety.

Nature [has] implanted in our breasts a love of others, a sense of duty to them, a moral instinct, in short, which prompts us irresistibly to feel and to succor their distresses.

Trade liberty for safety or money and you'll end up with neither. Liberty, like a grain of salt, easily dissolves. The power of questioning - not simply believing - has no friends. Yet liberty depends on it.

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.

The Declaration of Independence . . . [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man.

We see the wisdom of Solon's remark, that no more good must be attempted than the nation can bear.