It will be said that great societies cannot exist without government.

The true fountains of evidence [are] the head and heart of every rational and honest man. It is there nature has written her moral laws, and where every man may read them for himself.

The opinions of men should not be the object of any government. Our civil rights are no more dependent on our religious beliefs than they are dependent upon our thoughts about geometry or physics!

The variety of opinions leads to questions. Questions lead to truth.

Health is worth more than learning.

The man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them, in-as-much as he who knows nothing is nearer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehood and errors.

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.