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.

No government can be maintained without the principle of fear as well as duty. Good men will obey the last, but bad ones the former only. If our government ever fails, it will be from this weakness.

Those who would trade safety for freedom deserve neither.

The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration.

A rising nation, spread over a wide and fruitful Land, traversing all the seas with the rich production of their Industry.

We often repent of what we have said, but never, never, of that which we have not.

The government you elect is the government you deserve.