Great men are never sufficiently shown but in struggles.

A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation.

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

The same sun which gilds all nature, and exhilarates the whole creation, does not shine upon disappointed ambition.

Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power; but they will never look to anything but power for their relief.

The method of teaching which approaches most nearly to the method of investigation is incomparably the best.

The writers against religion, whilst they oppose every system, are wisely careful never to set up any of their own.