"The legitimate object of government, is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but can not do, at all, or can not, so well do, for themselves—in their separate, and individu…"

"Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in."

"I don't think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

"When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run."