"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."
"I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led."
"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."
"I cannot live without books."
"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."