We ought not to schismatize on either men or measures. Principles alone can justify that.
I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony.
He alone who walks strict and upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that others should be as free as himself and acquiesce when his opinion is freely overruled, will attain his object in the end.
With the same honest views, the most honest men often form different conclusions.
A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion.
Nothing but good can result from an exchange of information and opinions between those whose circumstances and morals admit no doubt of the integrity of their views.
Every man has a commission to admonish, exhort, convince another of error.
Error indeed has often prevailed by the assistance of power or force. Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error.
If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose system of politics morality makes no part?
Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless, by human interposition, disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate; errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.
Truth between candid minds can never do harm.
I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.
It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified.
Men of energy of character must have enemies; because there are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect.
I love peace, and am anxious that we should give the world still another useful lesson, by showing to them other modes of punishing injuries than by war, which is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.
War has been avoided from a due sense of the miseries, and the demoralization it produces, and of the superior blessings of a state of peace and friendship with all mankind.
I value peace, and I should unwillingly see any event take place which would render war a necessary resource.
I do not believe war the most certain means of enforcing principles. Those peaceable coercions which are in the power of every nation, if undertaken in concert and in time of peace, are more likely to produce the desired effect.
We love and we value peace; we know its blessings from experience. We abhor the follies of war, and are not untried in its distresses and calamities.
One war, such as that of our Revolution, is enough for one life.