[A] power equal to every possible contingency must exist somewhere in the government . . .

Remember civil and religious liberty always go together: if the foundation of the one be sapped, the other will fall of course.

Let experience, the least fallible guide of human opinion, be appealed to for an answer to these inquiries.

Self-preservation is the first principle of our nature.

The desire of reward is one of the strongest incentives of human conduct; ... the best security for the fidelity of mankind is to make their interest coincide with their duty.

If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy.

The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, is repugnant to every rule of political calculation.