“If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union, or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated, where reason is left free to combat it."[First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801]”

“What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly - that is the first law of nature.”

“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.[Inaugural Address, January 20 1961]”

“The first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and to keep them faithful. But when they are otherwise one cannot form a good opinion of him, for the prime error which he made was in choosing them.”

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.[Inaugural Address, January 20 1961]”

“Among the many objects to which a wise and free people find it necessary to direct their attention, that of providing for their safety seems to be the first.”