Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.

It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

If God is just, I tremble for my country.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be a soldier tomorrow if necessary.

I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.

I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.

If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send one hundred and fifty lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour?

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.