No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.

That the enthusiasm which characterizes youth should lift its parricide hands against freedom and science would be such a monstrous phenomenon as I cannot place among possible things in this age and country.

Bodily decay is gloomy in prospect, but of all human contemplations the most abhorrent is body without mind.

I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress of liberty in all nations, and would forever give it the weight of our countenance, yet they are not to be touched without contamination from their other bad principles. Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.

Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.

We did not raise armies for glory or for conquest.