I Read, I Study, I Examine, I

Humanity Has Gained Its Suit; Liberty Will Nevermore Be Without An Asylum.

In My Idea General Washington Is The Greatest Man; For I Look Upon Him As The Most Virtuous.

If You Were Lost For America, There Is Nobody Who Could Keep The Army And The Revolution [going] For Six Months.

Ambition, As That Passion Is Generally Understood,- A Strong Desire To Rise Above Others, To Occupy The First Place, - Formed No Part Of Lafayette's Character. In Him The Passion Was Nothing More Than A Constant And Irresistible Wish To Do Good.

I Read, I Study, I Examine, I Listen, I Reflect, And Out Of All Of This I Try To Form An Idea Into Which I Put As Much Common Sense As I Can. I Shall Not Speak Much For Fear Of Saying Foolish Things; I Will Risk Still Less For Fear Of Doing Them, For I Am Not Disposed To Abuse The Confidence Which They Have Deigned To Show Me. Such Is The Conduct Which Until Now I Have Followed And Will Follow.