The man of system is apt to be very wise in his own conceit. In the great chess board of human society, every single piece has a principle of motion of its own altogether different from that which the legislature might choose to impress upon it

Sugar, rum and tobacco are commodities which are nowhere necessaries of life, which are become objects of almost universal consumption, and which are therefore extremely proper subjects of taxation.

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest.

Men desire to have some share in the management of public affairs chiefly on account of the importance which it gives them.

Wherever there is great property, there is great inequality.

I am a beau in nothing but my books.

The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities.