Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.

Certainly one of the highest duties of the citizen is a scrupulous obedience to the laws of the nation. But it is not the highest duty.

The second office in the government is honorable and easy; the first is but a splendid misery.

The opinions of men should not be the object of any government. Our civil rights are no more dependent on our religious beliefs than they are dependent upon our thoughts about geometry or physics!

To every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language.

[n regard to Jesus believing himself inspired] This belief carried no more personal imputation than the belief of Socrates that he was under the care and admonition of a guardian demon. And how many of our wisest men still believe in the reality of these inspirations while perfectly sane on all other subjects

All we can do is to make the best of our friends, love and cherish what is good in them, and keep out of the way what is bad.