Quotes of All Topics . Occasions . Authors
Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force...Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
Painful as the task is to describe the dark side of our affairs, it sometimes becomes a matter of indispensable necessity.
The Army (considering the irritable state it is in, its suffering and composition) is a dangerous instrument to play with.
They will avoid ... those Overgrown Military establishements which ... are ... particularly hostile to Republican liberty.
I consider it an indubitable mark of mean-spiritedness and pitiful vanity to court applause from the pen or tongue of man.
May 12-13: Sowed Hemp at Muddy hole by Swamp. August 7: Began to separate the Male from the Female at Do - rather too late.
... the benefit arising from moderate use of strong Liquor have been experienced in all Armies, and are not to be disputed.
The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism . . .
Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths . . . ?
It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.
The United States enjoy a scene of prosperity and tranquility under the new government that could hardly have been hoped for.
It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being. Religion is as necessary to reason, as reason is to religion.
Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.
Unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties
Nothing is a greater stranger to my breast, or a sin that my soul more abhors, than that black and detestable one, ingratitude.
Submit your sentiments with diffidence. A dictatorial style, though it may carry conviction, is always accompanied with disgust.
I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country.
The fundamental principle of our constitution ... enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail.
[T]here is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists . . . an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.
Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.
A people... who are possessed of the spirit of commerce, who see and who will pursue their advantages may achieve almost anything.
Let me ask you, sir, when is the time for brave men to exert themselves in the cause of liberty and their country, if this is not?
If ever again our nation stumbles upon unfunded paper, it shall surely be like death to our body politic. This country will crash.
I use no Porter ... in my family, but such as is made in America: both these articles may now be purchased of an excellent quality.
It is an old adage that honesty is the best policy-this applies to public as well as private life-to States as well as individuals.
I shall not be deprived ... of a comfort in the worst event, if I retain a consciousness of having acted to the best of my judgment.
I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe, that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction.
There is a rank due to the United States among nations which will be withheld, if not absolutely lost, by the reputation of weakness.
Freemasonry is founded on the immutable laws of Truth and Justice and its grand object is to promote the happiness of the human race.
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
[T]he foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion, that Providence will not leave its work imperfect.
I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.
Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.
The Independence and Liberty you possess are the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings and successes.
The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
A hundred thousand men, coming one after another, cannot move a Ton weight; but the united strength of 50 would transport it with ease.
I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.
Three things prompt men to a regular discharge of their duty in time of action: natural bravery, hope of reward, and fear of punishment.
Military arrangement, and movements in consequence, like the mechanism of a clock, will be imperfectand disordered by the want of a part.
Peace with all the world is my sincere wish. I am sure it is our true policy, and am persuaded it is the ardent desire of the government.
In general I esteem it a good maxim, that the best way to preserve the confidence of the people durably is to promote their true interest
One thing and only one thing a Masonic Lodge can give its members which they can get nowhere else in the world. That one thing is Masonry.
To speak evil of any one, unless there is unequivocal proofs of their deserving it, is an injury for which there is no adequate reparation.
A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends.
I am just going. Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead.... Tis well.
True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation.
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.
Great people are not affected by each puff of wind that blows ill. Like great ships, they sail serenely on, in a calm sea or a great tempest.
Because of this ever increasing discernment of the true Mason he/she will find more efficient ways to apply brotherly love, relief and truth.
We are not to expect perfection in this world; but mankind, in modern times, have apparently made some progress in the science of government.