“Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human, and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment. I knew that age well; I belonged to it, and labored with it. It deserved well of its country. It was very like the present, but without the experience of the present; and forty years of experience in government is worth a century of book-reading; and this they would say themselves, were they to rise from the dead. I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.” 

“No nation has ever yet existed or been governed without religion. Nor can be. The Christian religion is the best religion that has been given to man and I as chief Magistrate of this nation am bound to give it the sanction of my example. Good morning Sir. [Replying on his way to church one Sunday to a friend, who said to him “You going to church Mr. J. You do not believe a word in it.”]”

“I am a sect by myself, as far as I know.”

“The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.”

“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” 

“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it.”

“Peace, that glorious moment in time when everyone stops and reloads.”

“Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.”

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”

“not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.”

“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.”

“Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.”

“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”

“I sincerely believe the banking institutions having the issuing power of money, are more dangerous to liberty than standing armies.”

“A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little to many.”