Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale of a book can become a subject of inquiry, and of criminal inquiry too.

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.

There is no act, however virtuous, for which ingenuity may not find some bad motive.

It is more honorable to repair a wrong than to persist in it.

Our business is to have great credit and to use it little.

Agriculture is at the same time the most tranquil, healthy, and independent occupation.