Much was to be done by prudence, much by conciliation, much by firmness.

The great mass of our Citizens require only to understand matters rightly, to form right decisions.

If the cause is advanced, indifferent is it to me where or in what quarter it happens.

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

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.

[T]he gradual extension of our settlements will as certainly cause the savage, as the wolf, to retire; both being beasts of prey, though they differ in shape.

I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.

Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.

Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad Company.

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

Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.

Do not suffer your good nature […] to say yes when you ought to say no; remember that it is a public not a private cause that is to be injured or benefitted by your choice.

Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.

Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do—then do it with all your strength.

Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.

Its better to live alone than to live in a bad company.

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

Occupants of public offices love power and are prone to abuse it.

Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.