“The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world.”

The class of citizens who provide at once their own food and their own raiment, may be viewed as the most truly independent and happy.

The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.

They throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty and dangerous encroachments on the public liberty.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

A pure democracy is a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person.

Each generation should be made to bear the burden of its own wars, instead of carrying them on, at the expense of other generations.

Every nation whose affairs betray a want of wisdom and stability may calculate on every loss which can be sustained from the more systematic policy of its wiser neighbors.

We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.

What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?

It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to an uniformity of interests.

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.

The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.

Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason.

Studies of volunteers have shown there is a benefit to performing acts of love for other people.

It’s an honor to be compared with Terry Bradshaw. If I could do half of what he did, I’d be very happy.

When you’re happy, you don’t count the years.

If none of your role models provide the answer, then it is time to go within and ask yourself, “What would make me happy?” In other words, let your feelings guide you. This doesn’t work well if you focus narrowly on your personal needs.

In real life, good people die all the time and a**holes can live long and happy lives. It’s a crapshoot.

I am not talking about selfishness or self-interest. When I ask, What will make you happy?, I mean, What way of loving others feels right for you? Choose a way of loving that makes you happy, and your efforts will be play rather than work.

It’s a great life, and Margaret and I are going to stay put above the Arctic Circle where we’re happy.

Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it.