Daily quote |
Thomas JeffersonIt is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read. It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape. It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness. It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it. It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good. Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning. Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people. Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. |