Being an actor is mostly about rejection and being out of work. It was a fast lesson in all of that stuff.
A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite.
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
We are either a United people, or we are not. If the former, let us, in all maters of general concern act as a nation, which have national objects to promote, and a national character to support. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending to it.
Where are our Men of abilities? Why do they not come forth to save their Country?
Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your reputation. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth, and pursue it steadily. Nothing but harmony, honesty, industry and frugality are necessary to make us a great and happy nation.
I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery.
In modern life nothing produces such an effect as a good platitude. It makes the whole world kin.
Writing is both mask and unveiling.
Books are but waste paper unless we spend in action the wisdom we get from thought.
He bores me. He ought to have stuck to his flying machine. [On Leonardo Da Vinci]