It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted either by themselves or by the General Government. The only barrier in their power is a wise government. A weak one will lose ground in every contest.

What we learn to do, we learn by doing.

Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same. One will always lead to the other.

All men are created equal.

A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of Life.

It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they would be the sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please . . . . Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It [the Constitution] was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect.

I never before knew the full value of trees....What would I not give that the trees planted nearest round the house at Monticello were full grown.