Creeds have been the bane of the Christian church ... made of Christendom a slaughter-house.

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

No one, I hope, can doubt my wish to see... all mankind exercising self-government, and capable of exercising it. But the question is not what we wish, but what is practicable.

And, in general, that branch which is to act ultimately and without appeal on any law is the rightful expositor of the validity of the law, uncontrolled by the opinions of the other coordinate authorities.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse in any country. If it were, the laws would lose their effect, because it can always be pretended.

Every gentleman plays billiards, but someone who plays billiards too well, is no gentleman.

I believe we may lessen the danger of buying and selling votes, by making the number of voters too great for any means of purchase. I may further say that I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches.