I do verily believe that a single, consolidated government would become the most corrupt government on the earth.

Let us in education dream of an aristocracy of achievement arising out of a democracy of opportunity

The whole history of these books (i.e. the Gospels) is so defective and doubtful that it seems vain to attempt minute enquiry into it: and such tricks have been played with their text, and with the texts of other books relating to them, that we have a right, from that cause, to entertain much doubt what parts of them are genuine. In the New Testament there is internal evidence that parts of it have proceeded from an extraordinary man; and that other parts are of the fabric of very inferior minds. It is as easy to separate those parts, as to pick out diamonds from dunghills.

Being myself a warm zealot for the attainment & enjoiment by all mankind of as much liberty as each may exercise without injury to the equal liberty of his fellow citizens, I have lamented that in France the endeavors to obtain this should have been attended with the effusion of so much blood.

I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty.

The rational and peaceable instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people.

Victory and defeat are each of the same price.