Ambition can creep as well as soar.

It is the nature of all greatness not to be exact.

Vice incapacitates a man from all public duty; it withers the powers of his under- standing, and makes his mind paralytic.

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.

Evil succeeds when good men do nothing

Religious persecution may shield itself under the guise of a mistaken and over-zealous piety.

No men can act with effect who do not act in concert; no men can act in concert who do not act with confidence; no men can act with confidence who are not bound together with common opinions, common affections, and common interests.