My great wish is to go on in a strict but silent performance of my duty; to avoid attracting notice, and to keep my name out of the newspapers.

The possession of facts is knowledge; the use of them is wisdom.

The people are not always well-informed, but is better that they have misconceptions that make them restless than that they be lethargic-for lethargy in the people means death for republics.

I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.

The fantastical idea of virtue and the public good being a sufficient security to the state against the commission of crimes, which you say you have heard insisted on by some, I assure you was never mine.

The constitutional freedom of religion is the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights

Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps.