I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches.

In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.

The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.

Whenever there are in any country uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on. The small landowners are the most precious part of a state.

Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly.

There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

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

Tranquility is the old man's milk.

Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities.