Great nations are never impoverished by private, though they sometimes are by public prodigality and misconduct.

In a militia, the character of the laborer, artificer, or tradesman, predominates over that of the soldier: in a standing army, that of the soldier predominates over every other character.

Every tax ought to be so contrived as both to take out and to keep out of the pockets of the people as little as possible, over and above what it brings into the public treasury of the State.

Men, like animals, naturally multiply in proportion to the means of their subsistence.

In ease of body, peace of mind, all the different ranks of life are nearly upon a level and the beggar who suns himself by the side of the highway, possesses that security which kings are fighting for.

Nothing is more graceful than habitual cheerfulness.

He is led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention