People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tomb of the Capulets.

The cause of a wrong taste is a defect of judgment.

To give freedom is still more easy. It is not necessary to guide; it only requires to let go the rein. But to form a free government; that is, to temper together these opposite elements of liberty and restraint in one work, requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind.

The public interest requires doing today those things that men of intelligence and good will would wish, five or ten years hence, had been done.

Education is the cheap defense of nations.

I find along with many virtues in my countrymen there is a jealousy, a soreness, and readiness to take offence, as if they were the most helpless and impotent of mankind, and yet a violence... and a boistrousness in their resentment, as if they had been puffed up with the highest prosperity and power. they will not only be served, but it must also be in their own way and on their own principles and even in words and language that they liked... which renders it very difficult for a plain unguarded man as I am to have anything to do with them or their affairs.