The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.

A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.

From the nature of things, every society must at all times possess within itself the sovereign powers of legislation.

The more a subject is understood, the more briefly it may be explained.

If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake.

I am for relying for internal defense on our militia solely till actual invasion, and for such a naval force only as may protect our coasts and harbors from such depredations as we have experienced; and not for a standing army in time of peace which may overawe the public sentiment; nor for a navy which, by its own expenses and the eternal wars in which it will implicate us, will grind us with public burthens and sink us under them.

Ministers and merchants love nobody.