Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.

Of all the countries of the world America is the one where the movement of thought and human industry is the most continuous and swift.

Laws are always unstable unless they are founded on the manners of a nation; and manners are the only durable and resisting power in a people.

When the reality of power has been surrendered, it's playing a dangerous game to seek to retain the appearance of it; the external aspect of vigor can sometimes support a debilitated body, but most often it manages to deal it the final blow.

Life is to be entered upon with courage.

In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.

Better use has been made of association and this powerful instrument of action has been applied for more varied aims in America than anywhere else in the world.