“Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for, I have grown not only gray, but almost blind in the service of my country.”

I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own.

99% of failures come from people who make excuses.

I had hoped that liberal and enlightened thought would have reconciled the Christians so that their religious fights would not endanger the peace of Society.

There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those be well-tried before you give them your confidence.

Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections.

Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.

Individuals entering into society, must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.

My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth,

It is better to be alone than in bad company.

A bad war is fought with a good mind.

To persevere in one’s duty, and be silent is the best answer to calumny.

Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.

Speak not injurious words neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none although they give occasion

Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

Heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound.