Character is much easier kept than recovered.

The guilt of a government is the crime of a whole country.

Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.

My own mind is my own church.

There is something in corruption which, like a jaundiced eye, transfers the color of itself to the object it looks upon, and sees everything stained and impure.

No nation ought to be without a debt. A national debt is a national bond; and when it bears no interest, is in no case a grievance.

Where there are no distinctions there can be no superiority; perfect equality affords no temptation.

These are the times that try men's souls.

Every age and generation must be as free to act for itself in all cases as the ages and generations which preceded it. The vanity and presumption of governing beyond the grave is the most ridiculous and insolent of all tyrannies.