Thomas Jefferson

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

“It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.”

“It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.”

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

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

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”

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

“One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.”

“It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.”

“Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.”

“I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be a soldier tomorrow if necessary.”

“Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.”

“The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”

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

“If God is just, I tremble for my country.”

“Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.”

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”

“The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”