To commit violent and unjust acts, it is not enough for a government to have the will or even the power; the habits, ideas and passions of the time must lend themselves to their committal.

In towns it is impossible to prevent men from assembling, getting excited together and forming sudden passionate resolves. Towns are like great meeting houses with all the inhabitants as members. In them the people wield immense influence over their magistrates and often carry their desires into execution without intermediaries.

The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

Of all nations, those submit to civilization with the most difficulty which habitually live by the chase.

It is far more important to resist apathy than anarchy or despotism, for apathy can give rise, almost indifferently, to either one.

I know of no other country where love of money has such a grip on men's hearts or where stronger scorn is expressed for the theory of permanent equality of property

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.