Most Americans aren't the sort of citizens the Founding Fathers expected they are contented serfs. Far from being active critics of government they assume that its might makes it right.

A good education is that which prepares us for our future sphere of action and makes us contented with that situation in life in which God in his infinite mercy has seen fit to place us to be perfectly resigned to our lot in life whatever it may be.

If we bring not the good courage of minds covetous of truth and truth only prepared to hear all things and decide upon all things according to evidence we should do more wisely to sit down contented in ignorance than to bestir ourselves only to reap disappointment.

People who have tried it tell me that a clear conscience makes you very happy and contented but a full stomach does the business quite as well and is cheaper and more easily obtained.