Grievances cannot be redressed until they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed affronts, and the messengers punished as offenders, who will henceforth send petitions? And who will deliver them? Wise governments encouraged the airing of grievances, even those that were lightly founded Foolish governments did the opposite - to their peril. Where complaining is a crime, hope becomes despair.

I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.

He that lives well, is learned enough.

Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning.

Did not strong connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I would choose to end my days in.

I guess I don't so much mind being old, as I mind being fat and old.

No man ought to own more property than needed for his livelihood; the rest, by right, belonged to the state.