We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.
A national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing.
Constitutions should consist only of general provisions; the reason is that they must necessarily be permanent, and that they cannot calculate for the possible change of things.
Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing.
Men give me credit for some genius. All the genius I have is this. When I have a subject in mind. I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. My mind becomes pervaded with it... the effort which I have made is what people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought.
Even to observe neutrality you must have a strong government.
Power over a man's subsistence amounts to power over his will.
Man is a reasoning rather than a reasonable animal.
Such a wife as I want... must be young, handsome I lay most stress upon a good shape, sensible a little learning will do, well-bread, chaste, and tender. As to religion, a moderate stock will satisfy me. She must believe in God and hate a saint.