Man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him. From his cradle to his grave he is learning to do what he sees others do.

One of my favorite ideas is, never to keep an unnecessary soldier.

Congress has scarcely any thing to employ them, and complain that the place [Washington, D.C.] is remarkably dull.

The constitution of the United States is the result of the collected wisdom of our country.

So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or ought not to be done.

The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.

A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.