Peace and abstinence from European interferences are our objects, and so will continue while the present order of things in America remain uninterrupted.

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate power of the society but the people themselves.

...in war, they will kill some of us; we shall destroy all of them

This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, not tolerate error as long as reason is left free to combat it.

War...is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.

If the obstacles of bigotry and priestcraft can be surmounted, we may hope that common sense will suffice to do everything else.

Force is the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism.

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt.