The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inheritance to him who lives worthily of it.

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.

A power above all human responsibility ought to be above all human attainment.

Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve; we may give somewhat of novelty to that which was old, condensation to that which was diffuse, perspicuity to that which was obscure, and currency to that which was recondite.

In politics, as in religion, it so happens, that we have less charity for those who believe the half of our creed, than for those that deny the whole of it; since if Servetus had been a Mohammedan, he would not have been burnt by Calvin.

It is adverse to talent to be consorted and trained up with inferior minds and inferior companions, however high they may rank. The foal of the racer neither finds out his speed nor calls out his powers if pastured out with the common herd, that are destined for the collar and the yoke.

Despotism can no more exist in a nation until the liberty of the press be destroyed than the night can happen before the sun is set.