I think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries; as long as they are chiefly agricultural.

Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.

Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own, can with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force.

The issuing power [of money] should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.

When I contemplate the immense advances in science and discoveries in the arts which have been made within the period of my life, I look forward with confidence to equal advances by the present generation, and have no doubt they will consequently be as much wiser than we have been as we than our fathers were, and they than the burners of witches.

This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, not tolerate error as long as reason is left free to combat it.