If an American was condemned to confine his activity to his own affairs, he would be robbed of one half of his existence.

Men will not receive the truth from their enemies, and it is seldom offered to them by their friends.

The will of the nation is one of those phrases most widely abused by schemers and tyrants of all ages.

A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay it.

We can state with conviction, therefore, that a man's support for absolute government is in direct proportion to the contempt he feels for his country.

The legislator is like the navigator of a ship on the high seas. He can steer the vessel on which he sails, but he cannot alter its construction, raise the wind, or stop the waves from swelling beneath his feet.

In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.