Thomas Jefferson

"I have ever dreaded a man of but one idea."

"A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits."

"I have never been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others."

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

"Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far."

"Never spend your money before you have earned it."

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

"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny."

"When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property."

"I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at liberty."

"The only guarantee of our rights is their exercise."

"An institution to promote the public happiness should promote virtue."

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally."

"It is our duty still to endeavor to do our duty, and not to stand idle."

"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear."

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever."

"Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies."

"No man can be a good physician who has no knowledge of figures, mechanics, and engineering."

"I have learned from experience that a very small income is not necessarily an obstacle to happiness."

"If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."

"The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory."

"I love the composition of correspondence. It is like a picture opened upon the canvas where I am to sketch the objects I mean."

"The greatest security for tranquility in the state is to diminish the misery of the people."

"Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions."

"My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office."

"Books constitute capital."

"I seldom read newspapers to know what is passing in the world."

"I'm a greater friend to the manual arts than I am to any other of the fine arts."

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

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical."