Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to play a little on our own.

Responsibility prevents crimes.

To be attached to the subdivision, to love the little platoon we belong to in society, is the first principle (the germ as it were) of public affections. It is the first link in the series by which we proceed toward a love to our country and to mankind. The interest of that portion of social arrangement is a trust in the hands of all those who compose it; and as none but bad men would justify it in abuse, none but traitors would barter it away for their own personal advantage.

To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.

All human laws are, properly speaking, only declaratory; they may alter the mode and application, but have no power over the substance of original justice.

We set ourselves to bite the hand that feeds us.

The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny.