Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.
Among a people generally corrupt liberty cannot long exist.
Whenever government abandons law, it proclaims anarchy.
The essence of tyranny is the enforcement of stupid laws.
It is for the most part in our skill in manners, and in the observations of time and place and of decency in general, that what is called taste by way of distinction consists; and which is in reality no other than a more refined judgment.
Magnificence is likewise a source of the sublime. A great profusion of things which are splendid or valuable in themselves is magnificent. The starry heaven, though it occurs so very frequently to our view, never fails to excite an idea of grandeur.