Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.

Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to them.

There is a debt of service due from every man to his country, proportioned to the bounties which nature and fortune have measured to him.

I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress of liberty in all nations, and would forever give it the weight of our countenance, yet they are not to be touched without contamination from their other bad principles. Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and I am sure...we both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves.

I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.

If the book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. But, for God's sake, let us freely hear both sides, if we choose.