I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever: that, considering numbers, nature, and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events: that it may become probable by supernatural interference! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest.

Error indeed has often prevailed by the assistance of power or force. Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error.

There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me.

Every people may establish what form of government they please, and change it as they please, the will of the nation being the only thing essential.

The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.

Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands.

I do not agree that an age of pleasure is no compensation for a moment of pain.