My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.

Books and Reading

Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years. It is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital, and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, it is their only capital.

Censure

I find the pain of a little censure, even when it is unfounded, is more acute than the pleasure of much praise.

Control

Nothing gives a person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

Family

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

Friends and Friendship

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.

Guilt

It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

Health

The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best.

Injustice

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

Liberty

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

Life and Living

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

Martyrdom

What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

Occupation

It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquillity and occupation which give happiness.

Peace

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

Pride

Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.

Questions

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.

Resignation

Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Soldier

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.

Thoughts and Thinking

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.

Truth

The man who fears no truth has nothing to fear from lies.

Tyranny

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.