The most uninformed mind with a healthy body is happier than the wisest valetudinarian.

It is a happy circumstance in human affairs that evils which are not cured in one way will cure themselves in some other.

The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.

With earnest prayers to all my friends to cherish mutual good will, to promote harmony and conciliation, and above all things to let the love of our country soar above all minor passions, I tender you the assurance of my affectionate esteem and respect.

The fumes of the most disordered imaginations were recorded in their religious code, as special communications of the Deity; and as it could not but happen that, in the course of ages, events would now and then turn up to which some of these vague rhapsodies might be accommodated by the aid of allegories, figures, types, and other tricks upon words, they have not only preserved their credit with the Jews of all subsequent times, but are the foundation of much of the religions of those who have schismatised from them.

If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.