With those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learnt to be perfectly indifferent: but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, andto need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be as passive.

I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.

If our legislature does not heartily push our University [of Virginia] we must send our children for education to Kentucky [Transylvania College] or Cambridge [Harvard College]. The latter will return them to us as fanatics and tories, the former will keep them to add to their population.

music, drawing, books, invention & exercise will be so many resources to you against ennui.

Perseverance in object, though not by the most direct way, is often more laudable than perpetual changes, as often as the object shifts light.

The persons and property of our citizens are entitled to the protection of our government in all places where they may lawfully go.

One man with courage is a majority.