The only greater [evil] than separation... [is] living under a government of discretion.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State.

Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains.

As new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.

Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.

It would not be for the public good to have [a majority in Congress of one party] greater [than] two to one.

Excessive taxation . . . will carry reason & reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.