76 quotes
God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.
It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment,—Independence now and Independence forever.
Discourse in Commemoration of Adams and Jefferson (1826)
There is nothing so powerful as truth — and often nothing so strange.
Argument on the murder of Captain Joseph White (1830)
One country, one constitution, one destiny.
When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.
On the Agriculture of England (1840)
Let our object be, our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country.
Address on Laying the Cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument (1825)
America has furnished to the world the character of Washington! And if our American institutions had done nothing else, that alone would have entitled them to the respect of mankind.
On the Completion of the Bunker Hill Monument (1843)
It is, Sir, as I have said, a small college. And yet there are those who love it!
Inconsistencies of opinion, arising from changes of circumstances, are often justifiable.
Knowledge is the only fountain, both of the love and the principles of human liberty.
There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession.
Liberty exists in proportion to wholesome restraint.
In a day of peace, let us advance the arts of peace and the works of peace.
Address on Laying the Cornerstone of the Bunker Hill Monument (1825)
Labor in this country is independent and proud. It has not to ask the patronage of capital, but capital solicits the aid of labor.
"Thank God, I — I also — am an American!"
On the Completion of the Bunker Hill Monument (1843)
He smote the rock of the national resources, and abundant streams of revenue gushed forth. He touched the dead corpse of Public Credit, and it sprung upon its feet.
Justice, sir, is the great interest of man on earth.
On Mr. Justice Story (1845)
We have been taught to regard a representative of the people as a sentinel on the watch-tower of liberty.
There is no evil which we cannot face or fly from but the consciousness of duty disregarded.
When the spotless ermine of the judicial robe fell on John Jay, it touched nothing less spotless than itself.