General rebellions and revolts of a whole people never were encouraged now or at any time. They are always provoked.

Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.

Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality.

I do ride contend against the advantages of distrust. In the world we live in, it is but too necessary. Some of old called it the very sinews of discretion.

Taste and elegance, though they are reckoned only among the smaller and secondary morals, yet are of no mean importance in the regulations of life. A moral taste is not of force to turn vice into virtue; but it recommends virtue with something like the blandishments of pleasure, and it infinitely abates the evils of vice.

The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.

It is the nature of all greatness not to be exact.