Founders’ Quotes

It has been a source of great pain to me to have met with so many among [my] opponents who had not the liberality to distinguish between political and social opposition; who transferred at once to the person, the hatred they bore to his political opinions.

In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend.

Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence ... the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican Government.

With those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learned to be perfectly indifferent; but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, and to need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be passive.

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.

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.

When we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary.

Let justice be done though the heavens should fall.

There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily.

Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever persuasion, religious or political.

We are, heart and soul, friends to the freedom of the press. It is however, the prostituted companion of liberty, and somehow or other, we know not how, its efficient auxiliary. It follows the substance like its shade; but while a man walks erect, he may observe that his shadow is almost always in the dirt.

Industry is increased, commodities are multiplied, agriculture and manufacturers flourish: and herein consists the true wealth and prosperity of a state.

Excessive taxation ... will carry reason and reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.

Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason.

This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good disposition.

Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.

Judges, therefore, should be always men of learning and experience in the laws, of exemplary morals, great patience, calmness, coolness, and attention. Their minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependent upon any man, or body of men.