“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution.”

“Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.”

“The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate government.

“...never [enter] into dispute or argument with another. I never saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many, on their getting warm, becoming rude, & shooting one another. ... When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? ... There are two classes of disputants most frequently to be met with among us. The first is of young students, just entered the threshold of science, with a first view of its outlines, not yet filled up with the details & modifications which a further progress would bring to their knoledge. The other consists of the ill-tempered & rude men in society, who have taken up a passion for politics. ... Consider yourself, when with them, as among the patients of Bedlam, needing medical more than moral counsel. Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially on politics. In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots to rights, either in fact or principle. They are determined as to the facts they will believe, and the opinions on which they will act. Get by them, therefore, as you would by an angry bull; it is not for a man of sense to dispute the road with such an animal.”

“Was the government to prescribe us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now."

“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.” 

“A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit.”

“As new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”

“It is the duty of every American citizen to take part in a vigorous debate on the issues of the day.”

“There is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.”

“Never trouble another for what you can do yourself”

“Freedom, the first-born of science.”

“If you want something you've never had You must be willing to do something you've never done.” 

“We confide in our strength, without boasting of it, we respect that of others, without fearing it.”

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”