I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give. |
I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both; and I am sure it promotes their happin |
I have come to a resolution myself as I hope every good citizen will, never again to purchase any article of foreign manufacture which can be had of American make be the difference of price what it may |
I have ever deemed it more honorable and more profitable, too, to set a good example than to follow a bad one. |
I have great confidence in the common sense of mankind in general. |
I have great hope that some patriotic spirit will, at a favorable moment, call (up the law for religious freedom) and make it the keystone of the arch of our government |
I have never been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others. |
I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office. |
I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master. |
I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches. |
I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as |
I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. |
I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another |
I have supposed the black man, in his present state, might not be in body and mind equal to the white man; but it would be hazardous to affirm that, equally cultivated for a few generations, he would not become so |
I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. |