“The happiness of society is the end of government.”

“The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.”

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. Aristotle speaks plainly to this purpose, saying, 'that the institution of youth should be accommodated to that form of government under which they live; forasmuch as it makes exceedingly for the preservation of the present government, whatsoever it be.”

“Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic religion?{Letter to Thomas Jefferson, May 19, 1821}”

“A Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.”

“Abuse of words has been the great instrument of sophistry and chicanery, of party, faction, and division of society. ”

“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.”