Thomas Jefferson

"There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people."

"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend."

"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

"I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led."

"Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom."

"I cannot live without books."

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers."

"One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them."

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

"I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be."

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

"If it is believed that these elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council or any other general authority of the government, than by the parents within each ward, it is a belief against all experience."

"Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you."

"Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom."

"And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself."

"I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

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