Thomas Jefferson

Delay is preferable to error.

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.

Perhaps the mission of those who love mankind is to make people laugh at the truth, to make truth laugh, because the only truth lies in learning to free ourselves from insane passion for the truth.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I have always abhorred the word 'racism.' I never use it.