Fruits are always of the same nature with the seeds and roots from which they come, and trees are known by the fruits they bear: as a man begets a man, and a beast a beast, that society of men which constitutes a government upon the foundation of justice, virtue, and the common good, will always have men to promote those ends; and that which intends the advancement of one man's desire and vanity, will abound in those that will foment them.

Many things are unknown to the wisest, and the best men can never wholly divest themselves of passions and affections... nothing can or ought to be permanent but that which is perfect.

For violence or fraud can create no right.

Who will wear a shoe that hurts him, because the shoe-maker tells him 'tis well made?

Laws and constitutions ought to be weighed... to constitute that which is most conducing to the establishment of justice and liberty.

[L]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . .

That is the best Government, which best provides for war.