There is no King, who, with sufficient force, is not always ready to make himself absolute.

No society is so precious as that of one’s own family.

I fancy it must be the quantity of animal food eaten by the English which renders their character insusceptible to civilization. I suspect it is in their kitchens and not in their churches that the reformation must be worked.

The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.

The plough is to the farmer what the wand is to the sorcerer. Its effect is really like sorcery.

No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.

The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if it be for their good, but separate them if it be better.