“If we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity.”

A man ought not to value himself of his achievements or rare qualities of wit, much less of his riches, virtue or kindred.

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation.

Few men are capable of making a continual sacrifice of all views of private interest, or advantage, to the common good.

We began a contest for liberty ill provided with the means for the war, relying on our patriotism to supply the deficiency.

It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people.

Real men despise battle, but will never run from it.

System to all things is the soul of business. To execute properly and act maturely is the way to conduct it to your advantage.

The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend.

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment.

We must consult our means rather than our wishes.

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.

Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.

A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.

Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.

Some men’s desires are without limits.

it is one thing to desire, another to be in capacity fit for what we desire.

Show me a man of average ability but extraordinary desire and I will show you a winner everytime.

It is widely held that too much wine will dull a man’s desire. Indeed it will…in a dull man.

Three things are necessary for the salvation of man: to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do.

I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto ‘to live well you must live unseen’.

Wonder is the desire of knowledge.

We set forth our petitions before god, not in order to make known to him our needs and desires, but rather so that we ourselves may realize that in the things it is necessary to turn to god for help.