Thomas Jefferson

The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.

The second office in the government is honorable and easy; the first is but a splendid misery.

No duty the Executive had to perform was so trying as to put the right man in the right place.

We did not raise armies for glory or for conquest.

I find that he is happiest of whom the world says least, good or bad.

That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.

Speeches that are measured by the hour will die with the hour.

My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.

Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.

The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.

Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society.

Taste cannot be controlled by law.

The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.

It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.

Wisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows. But Beauty is jealous, and illy bears the presence of a rival.

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Nothing is unchangeable but the inherent and unalienable rights of man.

Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.