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He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darke...more

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Enlighten the people, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.

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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, t...more

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I do not take a single newspaper nor read one a month and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

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There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.

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This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to t...more

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Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.

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I have indeed two great measures at heart, without which no republic can maintain itself in strength: 1. That of general education, to enable every ma...more

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The probable accumulation of the surpluses of revenue beyond what can be applied to the payment of the public debt... merits the consideration of Cong...more

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It be urged that the wild and uncultivated tree, hitherto yielding sour and bitter fruit only, can never be made to yield better; yet we know that the...more

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When describing the University of Virginia: Here, We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason ...more

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Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny; an...more

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I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise th...more