The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

Of this stamp is the cant of, Not men, but measures.

Men have no right to what is not reasonable, and to what is not for their benefit.

Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government.

Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites.

Adversity is a severe instructor, set over us by one who knows us better than we do ourselves, as he loves us better too. He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. This conflict with difficulty makes us acquainted with our object, and compels us to consider it in all its relations. It will not suffer us to be superficial.

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.