"If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

"Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."

"It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

"Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty."

"A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country?"

"Actions not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends."

"Action not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends."

"Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience."

"Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder."

"It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction - to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens."

"The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."

"It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government."

"Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals."

"I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy."

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life. (Address to Congress on Resigning Commission Dec 23, 1783)"

"It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it."

"The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government."

"Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected."

"There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard."

"It is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion, that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts."

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

"Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive."

"The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible."

"Worry is the interest paid by those who borrow trouble."

"It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders."

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

"It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company."

"The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves."

"Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company."

"My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution."

"The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure."

"Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."

"If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War."

"True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation."

"My observation is that whenever one person is found adequate to the discharge of a duty... it is worse executed by two persons, and scarcely done at all if three or more are employed therein."

"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."

"We must consult our means rather than our wishes."

"Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth."

"Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?"

"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."

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

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism."

"Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world - as far I mean as we are now at liberty to do it."

"The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in."

"It is better to be alone than in bad company."

"Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all."

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."