It is for the most part in our skill in manners, and in the observations of time and place and of decency in general, that what is called taste by way of distinction consists; and which is in reality no other than a more refined judgment.

People must be taken as they are, and we should never try make them or ourselves better by quarreling with them.

Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The circumstances are what render every civil and political scheme beneficial or noxious to mankind.

Whenever a separation is made between liberty and justice, neither, in my opinion, is safe.

We must not always judge of the generality of the opinion by the noise of the acclamation.

Public calamity is a mighty leveller.

Equity money is dynamic and debt money is static.