The march of the human mind is slow.

It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice tell me I ought to do.

Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.

Man acts from adequate motives relative to his interest, and not on metaphysical speculations.

By the disposition of a stupendous wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human race, the whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-aged, or young; but, in a condition of unchangeable constancy, moves on through the varied tenor of perpetual decay, fall, renovation, and progression.

People crushed by law, have no hopes but from power. If laws are their enemies, they will be enemies to laws; and those who have much hope and nothing to lose, will always be dangerous.

Evils we have had continually calling for reformation, and reformations more grievous than any evils.