Thomas Jefferson

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

"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."

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

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

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

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

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

"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."

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

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

"I cannot live without books."

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

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

"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."

"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits."

"Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?"

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

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government."