The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.

Monuments of the safety with which errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

No man e'er felt the halter draw, With good opinion of the law.

I agree with yours of the 22d that a professorship of Theology should have no place in our institution. but we cannot always do what is absolutely best. those with whom we act, entertaining different views, have the power and the right of carrying them into practice. truth advances, & error recedes step by step only; and to do to our fellow-men the most good in our power, we must lead where we can, follow where we cannot, and still go with them, watching always the favorable moment for helping them to another step.

[Comment on establishing Jefferson's University of Virginia, a secular college, in a letter to Thomas Cooper 7 October 1814]

In my opinion, Justin Holland is as good a quarterback as there is around,

All of the qualities that you need to be a good opinion columnist tend to be qualities that aren't valued in women.