The contradictory experiments of chemists leave us at liberty to conclude what we please. My conclusion is, that art has not yet invented sufficient aids to enable such subtle bodies [air, light, &c.] to make a well-defined impression on organs as blunt as ours; that it is laudable to encourage investigation but to hold back conclusion.

I believe in good luck, and the harder I work and the more I believe in myself, the luckier I get.

To unequal privileges among members of the same society the spirit of our nation is, with one accord, adverse.

The benefit of even limited monopolies is too doubtful, to be opposed to that of their general suppression.

History has informed us that bodies of men as well as individuals are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny.

When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.

Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief.