"And of all illumination which human reason can give, none is comparable to the discovery of what we are, our nature, our obligations, what happiness we are capable of, and what are the means of attaining it."

"It was the full conviction of this, and of what could be done, if every man were placed in the office for which he was fitted by nature and a proper education, which first suggested to me the plan of Illumination."

"G is Grace, the Flaming Star is the Torch of Reason. Those who possess this knowledge are indeed Illuminati."

"If you join government, calmly make your contribution and move on. Don't go along to get along do your best and when you have to - and you will - leave, and be something else."

"Before the Civil War, there were no national cemeteries, no processes for identifying the dead in the battle. There weren't any dog tags, and there was no next-of-kin notification. You didn't necessarily even hear what the fate of your loved ones had been. It was up to their comrades to write and inform you."

"Every summit scaled was once thought insurmountable from the valley below. For where clarity resides, peace inevitably follows."

"If I were president of the United States, I would include Moslems in my presidency."