Knowing that religion does not furnish grosser bigots than law, I expect little from old judges.

We may consider each generation as a distinct nation, with a right, by the will of its majority, to bind themselves, but none to bind the succeeding generation, more than the inhabitants of another country.

the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.

From the nature of things, every society must at all times possess within itself the sovereign powers of legislation.

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

This is perhaps the most important statement on religion ever made. It clarified the intent of the founders of the constitution irrespective of the attempts of modern day religious revisionists.

With your talents and industry, with science, and that steadfast honesty which eternally pursues right, regardless of consequences, you may promise yourself every thing-but health, without which there is no happiness. An attention to health then should take place of evey other object. The time necessary to secure this by active exercises, should be devoted to it in preference to every other pursuit.