"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

"All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency."

"Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all."

"The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."

"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness."

"The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government."

"It [gaming] is the child of avarice the brother of iniquity and the father of mischief."

"Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distress of everyone, and let your hand give in proportion to your purse."

"War - An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will."

"I shall never ask never refuse nor ever resign an office."

"The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon."

"Hence, likewise, they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military establishments, which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican Liberty. In this sense it is, that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the preservation of the other."

"Some day, following the example of the United States of America, there will be a United States of Europe."

"The nation which indulges toward another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to it animosity or two its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and it's interest."

"Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest."

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism."

"Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."

"In politics as in philosophy, my tenets are few and simple. The leading one of which, and indeed that which embraces most others, is to be honest and just ourselves and to exact it from others, meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved. If this maxim was generally adopted, wars would cease and our swords would soon be converted into reap hooks and our harvests be more peaceful, abundant, and happy."

"I beg leave to assure the Congress that no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness. I do not wish to make any profit from it."

"Lenience will operate with greater force, in some instances than rigor. It is therefore my first wish to have all of my conduct distinguished by it."

"Nothing can be more hurtful to the service, than the neglect of discipline; for that discipline, more than numbers, gives one army the superiority over another."

"The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall wellcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment."

"The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments."

"Heaven itself has ordained the right."

"I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man."

"I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country."

"Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government."

"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it."

"Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession."

"I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery."

"Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise."

"[death]...the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return."

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

"As mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."

"I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built."

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

"We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience."

"Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light."

"We must never despair our situation has been compromising before and it has changed for the better so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times."

"A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends."

"One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts."

"I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent."