I will believe in the right of one man to govern a nation despotically when I find a man born unto the world with boots and spurs, and a nation with saddles on their backs.

God leaves to Man the choice of Forms in Government; and those who constitute one Form, may abrogate it.

Everyone sees they cannot well live asunder, nor many together, without some rule to which all must submit.

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.

There may be a hundred thousand men in an army, who are all equally free; but they only are naturally most fit to be commanders or leaders, who most excel in the virtues required for the right performance of those offices.

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

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