I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives. For it is in our lives, and not from our works, that our religion must be read.

The impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time.

Circumstances sometimes require, that rights the most unquestionable should be advanced with delicacy.

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.

"It astonishes me to find... [that so many] of our countrymen... should be contented to live under a system which leaves to their governors the power of taking from them the trial by jury in civil cases, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce, the habeas corpus laws, and of yoking them with a standing army. This is a degeneracy in the principles of liberty... which I [would not have expected for at least] four centuries."

Certain teachings in the Bible are as diamonds in a dung-heap.

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.