“It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.”

Reason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind. If either of these can be rendered sufficiently extensive in a country, the machinery of Government goes easily on. Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.

Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.

One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests.

A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support.

It is always to be taken for granted, that those who oppose an equality of rights never mean the exclusion should take place on themselves.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.

I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of humans; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow creatures happy.

Every proprietor owes to the community a ground-rent for the land which he holds.

The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.

Virtue is not hereditary.

The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.

Some people can be reasoned into sense, and others must be shocked into it.

A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.

There is a soul of truth in error; there is a soul of good in evil.

The only cure for vanity is laughter. And the only fault that’s laughable is vanity.

I feel like, growing up, I haven’t had a lot of room for error – I don’t have room to make mistakes. You need to make mistakes to grow and learn, but I’m just a little different because the world is watching me, every single thing I do.

They defend their errors as if they were defending their inheritance.

In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind.

It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.

Effective leaders are made, not born. They learn from trial and error, and from experience.

Educated men and women, especially those who are in college, very often get the idea that religion is fit only for the common people. No young man or woman can make a greater error than this.