Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.
Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
[death]…the abyss from where no traveler is permitted to return
The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.
Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.
There is nothing which can better deserve our patronage than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
The reflection upon my situation and that of this army produces many an uneasy hour when all around me are wrapped in sleep. Few people know the predicament we are in.
If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts.
I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built.
It is absolutely necessary… for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.
I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.
It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government.
The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible.
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy
LIBERTY, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
Those who have committed no faults want no pardon. We are only defending what we deem our indisputable rights.
Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interest.
My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.
…do not spare any reasonable expense to come at early and true information; always recollecting, and bearing in mind, that vague and uncertain accounts of things [are]… more disturbing and dangerous than receiving none at all.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
We must never despair our situation has been compromising before and it has changed for the better so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.
Actions not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
Be courteous to all but intimate with few and let those few be well-tried before you give them your confidence.
Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.
True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
It [gaming] is the child of avarice the brother of iniquity and the father of mischief.
Action not words are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
Government is not reason it is not eloquence – it is force.
The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.
Human happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles the character of an “Honest Man.”
To persevere in one’s duty and be silent is the best answer to calumny.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
I shall never ask never refuse nor ever resign an office.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
My movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution.
Undertake not what you cannot perform but be careful to keep your promise.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
‘Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world – as far I mean as we are now at liberty to do it.
I beg leave to assure the Congress that no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness. I do not wish to make any profit from it.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.
I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.
War – An act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will.
There is nothing which can better deserve your patronage, than the promotion of science and literature. Knowledge is in every country the surest basis of public happiness.
Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.
Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
The time is near at hand which must determine whether Americans are to be free men or slaves.
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair the rest is in the hands of God.
Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.
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.
Experience teaches us that it is much easier to prevent an enemy from posting themselves than it is to dislodge them after they have got possession.
There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate, upon real favors from nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride ought to discard.
Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.
True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation.
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
Mankind, when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government.
The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.
It may be laid down as a primary position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the protection of a Free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property, but even of his personal services to the defense of it.
Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for it is better to be alone than in bad company.
It is far better to be alone, than to be in bad company.
Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.
If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.