Nothing in progression can rest on its original plan. We may as well think of rocking a grown man in the cradle of an infant.

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

In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.

I dread our own power, and our own ambition; I dread our being too much dreaded... We may say that we shall not abuse this astonishing, and hitherto unheard-of-power. But every other nation will think we shall abuse it. It is impossible but that, sooner or later, this state of things must produce a combination against us which may end in our ruin.

Great men are the guideposts and landmarks in the state.

Great men are never sufficiently shown but in struggles.

When any work seems to have required immense force and labor to effect it, the idea is grand.