I cannot live without books: but fewer will suffice where amusement, and not use, is the only future object.

Students of reading, writing and common arithmetick . . . Graecian [Greek], Roman, English and American history . . . should be rendered . . . worthy to receive, and able to guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle grateful that they are not worse rather than the rough handle, bitter that they are not better.

I hold it certain that to open the doors of truth and to fortify the habit of testing everything by reason are the most effectual manacles we can rivet on the hands of our successors to prevent their manacling the people with their own consent.

All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Merchants have no country.

I view great cities as pestilential to the morals, the health and the liberties of man. True, they nourish some of the elegant arts; but the useful ones can thrive elsewhere; and less perfection in the others, with more health, virtue and freedom, would be my choice.