A disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesman.

The moment that government appears at market, the principles of the market will be subverted.

Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair.

I own that there is a haughtiness and fierceness in human nature which will cause innumerable broils, place men in what situation you please.

Though ugliness be the opposite of beauty, it is not the opposite to proportion and fitness; for it is possible that a thing may be very ugly with any proportions, and with a perfect fitness for any use.

Evil succeeds when good men do nothing

If you can be well without health, you may be happy without virtue.