The happiness of the domestic fireside is the first boon of Heaven; and it is well it is so, since it is that which is the lot of the mass of mankind.
Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves.
Perfect happiness, I believe, was never intended by the Deity to be the lot of one of his creatures in this world; but that he has very much put in our power the nearness of our approaches to it is what I have steadfastly believed.
Man is fed with fables through life, and leaves it in the belief he knows something of what has been passing, when in truth he knows nothing but what has passed under his own eyes.
We often repent of what we have said, but never, never, of that which we have not.
The Christian god is a being of terrific character – cruel, vindictive, capricious and unjust.
The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most knows best how little he knows.
But under the beaming, constant and almost vertical sun of Virginia, shade is our Elysium. In the absence of this no beauty of the eye can be enjoyed.
I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man’s milk and restorative cordial.
The happiest moments my heart knows are those in which it is pouring forth its affections to a few esteemed characters.
A lively and lasting sense of filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics, and divinity that ever were written.
The selfish spirit of commerce, which knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain.
A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of the society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sin and suffering.
To every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language.
Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.
That the enthusiasm which characterizes youth should lift its parricide hands against freedom and science would be such a monstrous phenomenon as I cannot place among possible things in this age and country.
Religious leaders will always avail themselves of public ignorance for their own purpose.
The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep he waters pure.
The sentiments of men are known not only by what they receive, but what they reject also.
We prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form and to any people whatever.