I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time.

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.

Nothing was or is farther from my intentions, than to enlist myself as the champion of a fixed opinion, where I have only expressed doubt.

[M]y religious reading has long been confined to the moral branch of religion, which is the same in all religions; while in that branch which consists of dogma…

Libraries are the one American institution you shouldn't rip off.

What is more important in a library than anything else - is the fact that it exists.

Learning is not a gift, it's a privilege.